9 million people at risk of powerful tornadoes as threat of severe storms rages into third day
All the ingredients appear to be aligning for a fairly significant severe weather outbreak in the heart of the country on Wednesday.
Nashville, Tennessee. – The country’s deadly severe weather outbreak enters its third day, increasing the risk of strong, long-trajectory tornadoes in populated areas.
This comes as several deadly twisters tore through the Midwest and Ohio Valley on Tuesday, with Michigan being the hardest hit.
Severe storms and tornadoes hit the Midwest Ohio Valley, with significant damage reported in Michigan
As many as 68 tornado warnings have been issued since Tuesday. (FOX Weather)
It’s happening now
The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center has issued two severe thunderstorm watches.
A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for easternmost Kansas and western and central Missouri until 2:00 PM CT. This includes Kansas City, Columbia, and Springfield, Missouri.
A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for western North Carolina, northern South Carolina, and eastern Tennessee until 4 p.m. ET. This includes Charlotte, North Carolina, Greenville, South Carolina, and Knoxville, Tennessee.
Some Kansas City residents woke up Wednesday morning to find the ground covered in hail. Brenda Poore captured footage (below) of hail falling in Shawnee, Kansas, a suburb of Kansas City.
Video: Kansas City residents wake up to hail Wednesday morning
The National Weather Service in Kansas City said Wednesday morning’s thunderstorms could bring golf ball-sized hail to Johnson County, Kansas, and southern Cass County, Missouri.
Severe weather threat increases Wednesday afternoon and evening
On Wednesday, about 4 million people, including the cities of Nashville, Tennessee and Bowling Green, Kentucky, were placed in Level 4 of a five-tier severe weather risk. An additional 14 million people are at Level 3 of 5 risk, including in Memphis, Tennessee, and St. Louis, Missouri.
Tornadoes, very large to huge hail, and destructive wind gusts are all possible. Some tornadoes may be EF-2 or higher.
“Mayfield, Kentucky is right in the middle of that, and that’s always a concern when you see a town that’s been hit hard by severe weather over the last three years or so,” said FOX Weather Meteorologist Britta Merwin. Told. “Returning from an EF-4 tornado takes time.”
How to prepare for tornadoes
Severe weather forecast for Wednesday. (FOX Weather)
The most severe weather threat is concentrated in areas of Level 3 and Level 4 risk, but the risk of severe storms also extends to parts of the East Coast. In total, nearly 150 million Americans were under at least some threat of severe weather Wednesday.
The timing is scheduled for this afternoon. After lunch, significant thunderstorm activity is possible between Missouri, southern Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
“That’s the starting point,” Merwin added. “And unfortunately, the only time these thunderstorms will become more widespread is around 8 p.m. That’s when we’ll see some ignition in Arkansas and Texas, and we’ll see a little bit of a delay today. It won’t happen until around dinner time.” ”
Flash flooding is also a concern, particularly in the Tennessee and Ohio Valleys. Parts of middle Tennessee and southern Kentucky are at Level 3 of 4 flash flood risk. Flood watches also cover the same area.
“In a very urban area like Nashville, you can have flash flooding just because these thunderstorms bring so much rain,” Merwin said. “Please be aware that flooding of roads can occur quickly.”
Let’s take a look at the flash flood outlook for Wednesday. (FOX Weather)
Severe storms move south and east Thursday
On Thursday, the risk of severe storms will be highest in north-central and central Texas during the afternoon and evening hours. Here, multiple supercells can produce very large hailstones, potentially as large as baseballs. Harmful winds and isolated tornadoes are also possible.
The broader severe weather risk extends from the lower Mississippi Valley and the Southeast into the Carolinas and mid-Atlantic, where heavy hail and damaging wind gusts are the main threats. However, isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out.
“Golf ball” hail size and other hail measurements
Severe weather forecast for Thursday (FOX Weather)
The exact timing of these storms is unclear, as much of it will depend on Wednesday’s events, but the most likely time for severe storms will be in the afternoon and early evening, the FOX Prediction Center said. .
Additionally, additional flooding is possible, especially across East Texas, which is already experiencing catastrophic flooding. An additional 2 to 3 inches of rain is expected in the area.
