Severe weather is likely in the central USA this weekend and into early next week.
Tornadoes, high winds, large hail and flooding rain are all possible as a “powerful springtime weather system” moves across the country, says meteorologist Russell Schneider, the director of the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla.
The outbreak is likely to be the worst of the season so far and may become one of the top severe weather events this year, says AccuWeather meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.
The threat begins Saturday in the central and southern Plains. “South-central Kansas to west-central Oklahoma would be in an elevated risk area for severe weather Saturday evening,” AccuWeather meteorologist Scott Breit says.
This includes the cities of Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Tulsa and Wichita, according to the Storm Prediction Center (SPC).
On Sunday, the threat moves into the eastern portions of the Plains and the lower Mississippi Valley. The SPC has placed portions of Arkansas, Louisiana and eastern Texas under a “moderate” risk for severe storms. Sunday and Sunday night have the potential to be the worst 24-hour period of the outbreak.
About 32 million people are in the risk area for severe storms Sunday, the SPC’s Schneider says. “People should monitor the weather closely this weekend and have their severe-weather plans ready.”
Large hail and strong tornadoes could extend into Sunday night, AccuWeather predicts. Major cities at risk for violent storms, downed trees and power disruptions Sunday include Kansas City, Mo.; St. Louis; Little Rock; Memphis; Tulsa and Dallas.
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SOURCE: Doyle Rice
USA TODAY
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