Big Thunderstorms Target S. Plains to the Southeast
The long holiday weekend will feature plenty of severe thunderstorms from the Plains to the Southeast.
A stalled frontal boundary can be found stretching from the southern Rockies to the Southeast states and will remain in place through the holiday weekend. A series of upper-air weather disturbances moving near this front will help produce a scattering of strong to severe thunderstorms today.
Today’s area of concern stretches across portions of central Colorado, northern and western Texas into Oklahoma, southeastern Kansas, southwestern Missouri, Arkansas, far southwest Tennessee, northern Mississippi, and portions of Alabama, where the government’s Storm Prediction Center has issued a Slight Risk, or a 2 out of 5 on the severe weather probability scale, for thunderstorms today.
All modes of severe weather are expected today. This includes portions of Texas and Oklahoma, where very large hailstones and a few tornadoes will be possible. Here, an Enhanced Risk, a 3 out of 5, was opened over central Oklahoma.
Some cities at risk for severe weather today include Lubbock and Wichita Falls, Texas, Denver, Oklahoma City, Springfield, Mo., Little Rock, Ark., Memphis, Tenn., and Birmingham, Ala.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect across extreme southeastern Oklahoma through southern Arkansas, affecting cities such as Texarkana, Little Rock, and Pine Bluff, Ark.
Severe thunderstorms will remain possible on Sunday from northern and western Texas into Oklahoma, Arkansas, southwestern Tennessee, northern Mississippi, and northern Alabama. Once again, all modes of severe weather will be possible on Sunday. Here, another pairing of Enhanced and Slight Risks have been issued for Sunday by the Storm Prediction Center, with the former designation focused over north-central Texas and southwestern Oklahoma.
A few severe thunderstorms will remain possible across Texas on Monday, while a few stronger storms will remain possible from Oklahoma to Georgia.
In addition to the severe thunderstorms, rounds of moderate to heavy rainfall will lead to flooding concerns across portions of southeastern Kansas into Missouri, northern Arkansas, and northeastern Oklahoma where Flood Watches are in effect for most of the holiday weekend. Localized rainfall totals of 3 to 5 inches will be possible. Remember, when you see a flooded roadway, “Turn around, don’t drown!”
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!"
