Dangerous Severe Weather Outbreak Targets Central, Eastern U.S.
Spring is here and Mother Nature will be serving up a multi-day severe weather outbreak across the central and eastern U.S.
A quick-moving weather disturbance will push eastward across the Gulf Coast states today. Ahead of this disturbance, there will be increasing southerly winds that will funnel instability and moisture from the Gulf of Mexico northward. This increase in moisture will cause a dryline, or a sharp boundary between a humid air mass and a dry air mass, to develop.
As a result, strong to severe thunderstorms will be likely across portions of eastern Mississippi, Alabama, southwestern Georgia, and the Florida panhandle today. Here, the government’s Storm Prediction Center has issued a Marginal Risk, or a 1 out of 5 on the severe weather probability scale, with damaging wind gusts, hail, and an isolated tornado possible.
A new weather system developing over the Plains on Friday will cause a multi-day severe weather outbreak from the Mississippi Valley into the eastern Seaboard. All severe modes will be possible, including swaths of intense winds and strong tornadoes.
A large Slight Risk, or a 2 out of 5 on the severe weather probability scale, extends from Mississippi and Alabama northward into southern Wisconsin, southern Minnesota, and eastern Nebraska for Friday. Cities at risk here include Little Rock, Ark., Omaha, Neb., Chicago, Indianapolis, and Louisville, Ky.
An Enhanced Risk, or a 3 out of 5 on the severe weather probability scale, extends from northern Mississippi and northwestern Alabama through eastern Missouri and Iowa to western Indiana. Cities at risk include Memphis and Nashville, Tenn. and Des Moines, Iowa.
A Moderate Risk, or a 4 out of 5 on the severe weather probability scale, covers portions of eastern Missouri, southeastern Iowa and much of Illinois. This is where the greatest risk for large and destructive winds, hail and tornadoes will be possible, including cities such as Springfield and Peoria, Ill., and St. Louis.
As this storm system slides eastward for Saturday, severe thunderstorms are likely to span from the Lower Mississippi Valley and Southeast states northward through the Ohio Valley. The Storm Prediction Center has already issued a large Slight Risk area covering much of these regions, with a large Enhanced Risk across the Deep South and Tennessee Valley along with a Moderate Risk covering portions of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Once again, all severe modes will be possible, including the threat of strong tornadoes and intense winds.
Localized strong to severe thunderstorms will spread across portions of the eastern U.S. on Sunday as this storm system finally reaches the Atlantic coast. The main areas of concern on Sunday will extend across Georgia, the Carolinas, and the Mid-Atlantic.
With severe weather in the forecast over the next several days, make sure to know the difference between a watch and a warning should they become issued. A watch means that conditions are favorable for severe weather to occur and to be on alert for any rapidly changing conditions. A warning means that severe weather is imminent, and you should act fast to remain safe.
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 today’s severe weather. Remember, “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!”
