Severe Weather Back in the Forecast for the Central U.S.

Posted: April 17, 2023 11:04 am

The stormy conditions returned to much of the U.S. this weekend, following a brief respite from the severe weather. Forecasters are now warning that it could be a rocky week ahead with numerous severe weather threats on deck. Here is what you need to know heading into the new week.

Recap of Weekend Storms

The storms first fired up on Saturday across a large swath of the Mississippi Valley. Large hail and damaging hail swept through the region in the afternoon and evening hours. Missouri was ground zero for Saturday’s action.

According to preliminary reports out of the National Weather Service (NWS) Storm Prediction Center (SPC), a wind gust clocking in at 97 mph was recorded in the town of Vichy on Saturday afternoon.

A powerful storm in Dade County in the western portion of the state brought hail the size of softballs. Much of the state was also dealing with the threat of tornadoes, putting a damper on many outdoor activities throughout the day.

Sunday’s storms moved to the east, bringing the risks to a new part of the country. These storms were precipitated by a cold front that moved through the Ohio Valley to end the weekend. It was an unsettled day of weather for places such as Detroit and Cleveland as a result.

Florida was also under the gun for more storm development on Sunday. The storms brought a variety of impacts to the Sunshine State, including torrential rainfall, hail, and strong winds.

Colder air has also moved into the Great Lakes region behind this storm system, setting up a much cooler start to the work week for Northeast.

More Storms on Tap for Tuesday

The storms will ignite once more on Tuesday as a new weather maker forms in the central U.S. This will be the start of consecutive days of stormy conditions for the middle of the country.

The highest risk of severe weather on Tuesday will unfold across portions of Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Cities in the line of fire include Omaha, Wichita, and Oklahoma City.

These storm cells are likely to bring a number of threats such as hail and heavy rain. Damaging winds will also be an issue with gusts potentially hitting up to 65 mph.

The storms in Texas are predicted to erupt along what meteorologists call a dry line. This is a zone in which dew point temperatures change significantly within a small zone. This dry line is a sign that dry air is pushing into a mass of moist air. The merger of these competing air masses can trigger the formation of strong storms.

Looking Ahead to Wednesday and Thursday

Moving on to Wednesday, the risk of storms will again shift to the east, bringing Arkansas, Missouri, and Iowa into the fold. As with Tuesday’s events, the storms will deliver downpours, gusty winds, and hail. Cities with a good chance of seeing this storm development include Des Moines, Kansas City, Tulsa, and Dallas.

While the storms on Tuesday and Wednesday are likely to be more spread out, Thursday’s forecast is calling for widespread severe weather. This is because an area of low pressure is forecast to pick up steam in the nation’s heartland.

This broad area of low pressure will provide the groundwork for widespread storm activity across the Midwest and into the Mississippi Valley and the western portion of the Ohio Valley.

Cities under the gun for storms on Thursday include St. Louis, Kansas City, Chicago, Dallas, Little Rock, and New Orleans. It is a good idea to stay abreast of the developing conditions as forecasters fine tune their predictions in the coming days.

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