(Trends Wide) — The same storm system that brought so much rain and snow to the western United States is moving east and intensifying, posing a potential outbreak of severe weather that could affect nearly 70 million people from the Mississippi Valley to the Ohio and Tennessee valleys this Friday.
“A worrying scenario appears to be unfolding,” warned the Storm Prediction Center. “Intense, damaging streaks and several tornadoes (some strong and long-range) are expected.”
This weather pattern will be similar to ones we have seen repeatedly in recent months, when a fluvial weather event or storm system impacting the west intensifies as it moves east, leading to a bout of severe weather. through the middle section of the country.
There is a small chance of thunderstorms this Thursday across the Plains, including Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Sioux Falls and Topeka. We could also see gusty winds, hail, and the possibility of an isolated tornado.
However, the severe threat increases this Friday.
A regional outbreak of severe thunderstorms is forecast Friday, March 31. The most intense storms, capable of damaging gusts , a few tornadoes (some strong & long-tracked), & large hail are expected from the Mid-MS Valley to the Mid-South. More details: https://t.co/QMmU4tBZDt. pic.twitter.com/m3SGTxSF8S
— NWS Storm Prediction Center (@NWSSPC) March 30, 2023
The storm center has placed a level 4 of 5 “moderate risk” of severe weather for nearly 4 million people in two separate areas along the Mississippi River: For parts of northeast Arkansas, the Missouri Bootheel, and western of Tennessee, including Memphis, and for parts of eastern Iowa and northwestern Illinois.
Places like Cedar Rapids, Davenport and Iowa City are included in the severe weather threat.
follow the storms here
“Things are still looking pretty volatile in our region for Friday,” the Quad Cities, Iowa, office of the National Weather Service said. windy so people should plan ahead for shelters in case of severe weather events as these storms will move fast!”
SPC has upgraded much of the area to a Moderate (level 4 out of 5) risk for severe storms for Friday from 2 to 8 PM. Damaging winds to 70 MPH, tornadoes, and large hail will all be possible. The storms will be moving at 50+ MPH, so you will have little time to seek shelter! pic.twitter.com/cv50egSMYt
— NWS Quad Cities (@NWSQuadCities) March 30, 2023
A broader area stretching from northern Iowa and southwestern Wisconsin to central Mississippi and southern Arkansas is under a level 3 out of 5 “increased risk” for severe weather.
This threat affects more than 14 million people in places like Nashville, St. Louis, Des Moines, and Little Rock.
“Initially there could be a small tornado threat with the storms as they enter our western counties, but a line of storms with a threat of damaging straight-line winds will ultimately be the primary concern,” the Service’s office explained. National Weather Service in Nashville.
Winds could reach 112 km/h and hail is possible.
Many of these storms will continue through the night, creating an even more dangerous scenario because people are sleeping.
This weather phenomenon comes a week after a deadly outbreak of tornadoes killed dozens of people, many of them in Mississippi.
“For this week our highest probability of severe weather is a little bit north of where it was last week,” National Weather Service meteorologist Amber Schlessiger told Trends Wide. Schlessiger says the region hit hard a week ago must be prepared. “People are going to be asleep and won’t set their alarms until the next morning, so they need to have a way to be woken up.”
There is also a severe weather threat for more than 31 million people from southern Minnesota and Wisconsin to parts of eastern Texas, northern Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
Gusty winds, large hail, and the possibility of isolated tornadoes are possible as fast-moving storms head east.
Along with the severe threat, heavy rains could lead to flooding. The forecast center has highlighted an area stretching from eastern Oklahoma to Kentucky for a slight risk of excessive rainfall.
“Hourly rates of greater than 1-2 (inches) are possible, with these hourly rates largely driving the threat of flash flooding, as most of the forecast precipitation is expected over a 3-6 hour period. “, explained the prediction center.
chance of blizzard
Heavy snowfall will spread across much of the Upper Midwest, adding to its already outstanding winter season.
“Winter weather advisories are in effect from South Dakota eastward into Minnesota and Wisconsin for potential snow totals generally between 3-6 (inches), with totals locally heavier than 10 (inches). ) as possible,” the prediction center said.
Along with heavy snowfall, wind gusts of up to 80 km/h could cause a white storm.
“Wind gusts behind the front in excess of 50 mph will lead to areas of gusty snow and blizzard conditions, making travel dangerous or impossible.”
Temperatures will remain unusually cold, with highs between -6 to 4 degrees Celsius for this Thursday and Friday.
Overnight lows will drop further this Saturday morning.
