A powerful storm system is set to trigger a widespread severe weather outbreak this weekend, threatening areas from the Ohio Valley to the Mississippi and Tennessee valleys with tornadoes, destructive winds, and very large hail.
In the warm, humid air mass ahead of this system, a few robust thunderstorms are likely to develop this evening across portions of Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and northern Texas, where the government's Storm Prediction Center has issued a Slight Risk (a 2 out of 5 risk designation) for severe thunderstorms.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for parts of central and north Texas, which includes the cities of San Angelo, Waco, Stephenville and Dallas.
A Tornado Watch is in effect for portions of central and eastern Oklahoma, which includes the cities of Ardmore, Oklahoma City, McAlester, Ponca City, and Tulsa.
Today's threats will primarily include large hail and damaging winds. However, an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out. Some cities at risk today include Oklahoma City, Wichita, Kan., Kansas City, Mo., and Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas.
As the storm system continues to intensify and moves into the Midwest and Great Lakes on Sunday, it will start to drag a cold front eastward. Along and ahead of this front, the atmosphere is expected to be rather unstable, given the unseasonably warm temperatures and high humidity.
A large Slight Risk stretches from northeastern Texas to northwestern Georgia, northward through Illinois, southern Michigan, Ohio, and western Pennsylvania on Sunday. Within this area, a large Enhanced Risk (level 3 of 5) extends from Arkansas to northwestern Alabama through central and southern Illinois, much of Indiana, western Ohio, and much of Kentucky.
The main threats include strong tornadoes, some of which could be long-track, damaging wind gusts over 60 mph, and hail larger than golf balls. The most intense storms may produce baseball-sized hail. Storms are expected to develop by Sunday afternoon and continue into the overnight hours as they push eastward.
Some cities at risk on Sunday include Dallas, Little Rock, Ark., Memphis and Nashville, Tenn., St. Louis, Louisville, Ky., Chicago, Indianapolis, Detroit, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh.
As the cold front continues to push eastward for Monday, the threat for severe thunderstorms will envelop much of the South, Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and parts of the Northeast. A large Slight Risk area has been issued for Monday that stretches from New Orleans to Albany, N.Y., including Atlanta, Charlotte, N.C., Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia.
Residents in the affected areas should stay alert and have a way to receive warnings. Remember, a Watch means conditions are favorable for severe weather, while a Warning means it’s happening—seek shelter immediately. Keep devices charged and have a safety plan ready. Stay updated on this evolving severe weather threat through trusted sources like the WeatherBug app for the latest alerts.
