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Major Thunderstorms Bubbling Across Southern Plains
May 25, 2024 at 11:34 PM EDT
UPDATED by WeatherBug Meteorologist, Andrew Rosenthal
Severe thunderstorms are quickly building across the southern Plains and could become very dangerous tonight across the region.
Tornado Watches are in place across northern Texas, eastern Oklahoma, eastern Kansas and western Missouri. The latter watch is considered a “Particularly Dangerous Situation,” meaning that there is an increased chance for large and violent tornadoes, hail as large as watermelons and wind gusts to 80 mph. That watch includes Topeka, Kan., and Kansas City, Mo.
The storms are associated with a rapidly developing and unseasonably strong area of low pressure across the western Plains. A volatile mix of warm and humid air in the southern Plains with cooler and drier air from the Rockies will quickly fire thunderstorms that will rapidly multiply before merging into lines or clusters, eventually rumbling into Missouri and possibly parts of western Arkansas on early Sunday morning.
A significant severe weather outbreak threat exists across much of Oklahoma, southern and south-central Kansas, to southwestern Missouri. This is where the government’s Storm Prediction Center has issued a Moderate Risk for organized severe weather. Tornadoes, several which could be strong to violent, giant, damaging hail greater than baseball size, and destructive wind gusts up to 80 mph will be possible. Oklahoma City, Norman, and Tulsa, Okla., Springfield, Mo., and Wichita, Kan., are found in this corridor.
An Enhanced Risk severe weather danger zone exists to the north and south, blanketing most of northern Texas to near the Nebraska-Kansas border and as far east as southern Missouri. Cities such as Kansas City, Mo., Overland Park, Topeka, and Olathe, Kan., and Wichita Falls, Texas, are included.
Heavy rainfall will be part of the weather systems makeup too. One to 3 inches, with locally higher totals could fall in a short time. This could lead to urban and poor drainage flooding, especially in flood prone, low-lying areas. Excessive runoff could lead to small stream, creek, and river flooding as well. Remember, if you approach a flooded roadway, it is best to “Turn Around, Don’t Drown!”
The best way to remain safe is to stay prepared and informed about your local weather. Have a severe weather kit packed with a battery-operated radio, water and non-perishable food items should you be without power for long periods of time. Also, check the WeatherBug app frequently for any updates on tonight's severe weather. Remember, “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!”
Tornado Watches are in place across northern Texas, eastern Oklahoma, eastern Kansas and western Missouri. The latter watch is considered a “Particularly Dangerous Situation,” meaning that there is an increased chance for large and violent tornadoes, hail as large as watermelons and wind gusts to 80 mph. That watch includes Topeka, Kan., and Kansas City, Mo.
The storms are associated with a rapidly developing and unseasonably strong area of low pressure across the western Plains. A volatile mix of warm and humid air in the southern Plains with cooler and drier air from the Rockies will quickly fire thunderstorms that will rapidly multiply before merging into lines or clusters, eventually rumbling into Missouri and possibly parts of western Arkansas on early Sunday morning.
A significant severe weather outbreak threat exists across much of Oklahoma, southern and south-central Kansas, to southwestern Missouri. This is where the government’s Storm Prediction Center has issued a Moderate Risk for organized severe weather. Tornadoes, several which could be strong to violent, giant, damaging hail greater than baseball size, and destructive wind gusts up to 80 mph will be possible. Oklahoma City, Norman, and Tulsa, Okla., Springfield, Mo., and Wichita, Kan., are found in this corridor.
An Enhanced Risk severe weather danger zone exists to the north and south, blanketing most of northern Texas to near the Nebraska-Kansas border and as far east as southern Missouri. Cities such as Kansas City, Mo., Overland Park, Topeka, and Olathe, Kan., and Wichita Falls, Texas, are included.
Heavy rainfall will be part of the weather systems makeup too. One to 3 inches, with locally higher totals could fall in a short time. This could lead to urban and poor drainage flooding, especially in flood prone, low-lying areas. Excessive runoff could lead to small stream, creek, and river flooding as well. Remember, if you approach a flooded roadway, it is best to “Turn Around, Don’t Drown!”
The best way to remain safe is to stay prepared and informed about your local weather. Have a severe weather kit packed with a battery-operated radio, water and non-perishable food items should you be without power for long periods of time. Also, check the WeatherBug app frequently for any updates on tonight's severe weather. Remember, “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!”