Thursday, May 3, 2012

Severe Weather in the Plains and Midwest Again Today...


Severe thunderstorms will threaten again today across the central Plains, Eastward into the Midwest and Great Lakes Region. Above is the latest Storm Prediction Center (SPC) outlook, with severe storms likely in the yellow shaded areas. You'll also note a small risk area over southwest Texas as well.

In general, thunderstorms will develop and/or increase during the mid to late afternoon hours across the Northern risk area, and late this afternoon or this evening in the southwest Texas risk area.

Large hail, damaging wind gusts and a few tornadoes are possible with any severe storms that form in these areas.  In particular, a threat for very large (2 inch diameter or greater) hail exists within the red shaded and black hatched area on the image below:


This includes the Topeka and Kansas City areas, as well as areas just to the South of both Omaha and Des Moines.   This also roughly corresponds to the same region where the chance of a tornado will be locally greater than in other areas today.

If you live across the severe weather outlook areas for today, and particularly within the red shaded area on the above image, please remain alert for rapidly changing weather conditions.  Listen to NOAA Weather Radio, local media or another trusted source for later statements and possible warnings.  Make sure that you have identified your best sheltering option, and be prepared to move there quickly if threatening weather is observed or a warning issued for your area.

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