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Beginning tomorrow, conditions will coalesce to set the stage for what could potentially be days of dangerous severe weather episodes over the South, Midwest, Mid-South, and Ohio Valley.
So far this month, conditions have been favorable for suppressing severe weather outbreaks in the United States. However, starting tomorrow, that’s all about to change and forecasters are warning that dangerous episodes of severe weather could erupt from the southern Midwest to the South and into Ohio Valley, AccuWeather reports.
Winter weather in the West will move eastward, creating a clash of air masses as it collides over the Midwest on Friday with thunderstorms that stretch from the nation’s midsection into the Mid-South. The result could be a violent outbreak of severe weather.
The National Weather Service (NWS) is warning of severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, and flash flooding stretching from Texas into the mid-South.
Thursday’s forecast: Severe thunderstorms are forecast over North Central Texas into southwestern Oklahoma. Heavy rain with the potential of flash flooding will affect central and northern Oklahoma, southern and southeastern Kansas, most of Missouri, northern Arkansas, southern Illinois, and Western Kentucky.
Friday forecast: Potential severe thunderstorms through mid-Central Texas into North-Central Texas, extending through central and western Oklahoma, into South-Central Kansas. Heavy rain with the potential of flash flooding is forecast over central and eastern Kansas, extending into south-central Nebraska.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued alerts for Thursday which include a flash flood watch for six states as well as a flood advisory along the Mississippi River.
Flash flood watch: is in effect for eastern and southeastern Kansas; central and southern Missouri; northern Arkansas; southern Illinois, southwestern Indiana; northwestern Kentucky.
Flood advisory: Along the Mississippi River in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana.
Authorities typically issue four crucial warnings in severe weather conditions:
Severe wind: Plan for power outages. Make sure to keep all cellphones fully charged, especially by the afternoon and evening when the severe weather is most likely to occur. Plan on getting ice for coolers for any crucial items that require refrigeration, such as insulin or other medications, in case of power outage occurs.
Large hail: Park your car in a garage or carport.
Tornadoes: Know your safe place. Have a family evacuation plan so that everybody knows what to do and where to go.
Food and water: Make sure you have food and fresh water for people and pets. Ideally, store a three-day supply, with one gallon of water per person per day.
