Severe Storms Threaten Millions Across the United States: Here is what we know

Published by RawNews1st

An active weather pattern has taken shape from the southern and central Plains into parts of the Upper Midwest as warm, humid air from the Gulf of Mexico combines with a series of disturbances moving across the country. The setup is expected to fuel widespread thunderstorm development, particularly during the afternoon and evening hours.

The greatest concern will be for severe thunderstorms capable of producing hail large enough to damage vehicles and property, along with powerful wind gusts that could bring down trees and power lines. While the primary threats will be hail and wind, a few storms may become strong enough to produce isolated tornadoes.

A level two out of five risk is in place for cities including Cleveland; Pittsburgh; Philadelphia; New York City; Albany, New York; and Hartford, Connecticut. Damaging wind gusts will be the primary hazard, with isolated large hail and frequent lightning also possible with any stronger storms.

Millions are in the path of severe thunderstorms beginning Thursday afternoon across parts of the Northern Plains and Central U.S. as the region faces a third consecutive day of severe weather. These storms will also tap into widespread Gulf moisture across the middle of the country, creating a flash flood threat that stretches from West Texas to southern Minnesota.

The threat winds down after that with quieter weather on the way for the second half of the weekend.

Any stronger, slow-moving thunderstorms with torrential rain could also trigger areas of flash flooding where the heaviest rain develops.

On Sunday, severe thunderstorms are possible later in the day across parts of the northern Plains, including much of the Dakotas with damaging wind gusts and large hail the primary hazards.

Areas of heavy rain and scattered thunderstorms are also sweeping across parts of the southern Plains and Midwest this weekend.