A strong storm is expected to develop just east of the Rockies mid-week, bringing severe weather to the Great Plains and Mississippi Valley on Friday and Saturday. This storm has the potential to be one of the most intense on record for the region, with the energy from the storm likely to fuel severe weather, heavy rain, snow, and strong winds.
There will be isolated severe thunderstorms before the main storm system hits, with more significant storms predicted for parts of Texas, Oklahoma, and the south-central US on Thursday. Friday is expected to bring widespread severe weather across the Central states, with a risk of severe thunderstorms extending from the Gulf Coast to the Canada border.
Arkansas, Mississippi, Iowa, and Illinois are forecasted to experience numerous severe thunderstorms on Friday, with the main threats being high winds, large hail, and heavy downpours. The storm system will also bring widespread strong winds, potentially leading to power outages and wildfire risks in dry areas.
Severe weather is likely to continue on Saturday, with the threat extending from the central Gulf coast to the Great Lakes region. The main concentration of severe storms is expected in southeastern Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, the Florida Panhandle, and Georgia. The primary risks will again be damaging winds, large hail, and heavy rain, with a possibility of thunderstorms stalling and increasing the risk of flash flooding.
Flooding is expected in the area near the southern Appalachians and the Tennessee Valley. On Sunday, there is a continued risk of severe weather as thunderstorms move quickly towards the Atlantic coast. This may bring heavy rains and strong winds, potentially causing travel delays. Tornadoes are a possibility during this severe weather event, with both Friday and Saturday posing a significant threat. The number and strength of tornadoes will depend on the development of isolated storms with rotation, known as supercell thunderstorms, which are capable of producing powerful tornadoes. Factors like sunshine and daytime heating will influence the formation of these storms. Severe weather and tornado threats will persist beyond daylight hours on Friday and Saturday, extending into the night. Even without supercell thunderstorms, there is still a risk of tornadoes within lines of thunderstorms producing strong winds and heavy rainfall. For more advanced and ad-free safety alerts, consider subscribing to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app for hyperlocal severe weather alerts provided by expert meteorologists who are dedicated to keeping you and your loved ones safe.
