Severe thunderstorm risk to persist this weekend
Following significant severe weather, including tornadoes, on Thursday and Friday, potent storms this weekend will bridge the gap ahead of another severe weather outbreak early next week in portions of the central and eastern United States, AccuWeather meteorologists warn.
There were at least 360 severe weather reports from Thursday, followed by more than 600 incidents of violent thunderstorms on Friday. Of these, there were at least 51 preliminary tornadoes that will be investigated in the coming days. Along with tornadoes, the storms produced wind gusts to hurricane strength (74 mph or greater) and hail to the size of baseballs and softballs.
Additional severe thunderstorms are in store for this weekend. However, many areas of the Midwest will get a break as crews work to clean up fallen trees and restore power. But while the overall intensity of the storms this weekend will likely not be as extreme as that of Thursday and Friday, some of the storms can pack a punch in some neighborhoods as they experience severe weather for the first time in a number of days.
Storms to pack a punch in New England, South, into Saturday night
On Saturday night, the greatest risk of severe thunderstorms will occur in two areas.
One zone will be in a heavily populated corridor of the Northeast from the Hudson Valley of New York to part of western New England. Thunderstorms in this area are likely to bring localized damaging wind gusts and hail ranging from the size of marbles to golf balls. Sporadic power outages can occur with the risk of some trees blocking city streets and secondary roads as well as localized urban flooding.
Metro areas at risk for severe thunderstorms in the Northeast include New York City, Albany and Syracuse, New York; Hartford, Connecticut; and Burlington, Vermont. The weather should be dry for the running of the 150th Preakness at Pimlico Race Track in Baltimore on Saturday evening, following violent thunderstorms that blew through the city and surrounding suburbs late Friday, which resulted in extensive storm damage and even prompted a tornado warning for the city.
Farther southwest, another zone of severe weather will extend from the South Central states to part of the Southeast. Within this area, widespread severe thunderstorms are forecast from southeastern Oklahoma to north-central Texas.
Along with the likelihood of some of the storms producing large hail and wind gusts frequently reaching 60-70 mph, there is also the risk of a few tornadoes.
Major cities within this more central U.S. severe weather zone include San Antonio, Dallas, Oklahoma City and Little Rock, Arkansas.Have the app? Unlock AccuWeather Alerts™ with Premium+
Storms to focus on south-central US on Sunday
On Sunday, the severe weather threat will generally be focused on the central and southern Plains.
Sunday's severe weather threat will extend from central Texas, northward to northeastern Colorado and southwestern Nebraska and as far to the east as the central portions of Missouri and Arkansas.
The main threats on Sunday will be from large hail and powerful wind gusts. However, there can be a few tornadoes that spin up in the strongest storms.
Significant severe weather outbreak looms for Monday, Tuesday
As a storm pushes out from the Rockies, severe weather and the risk of tornadoes may hit a full stride over portions of the Plains and Mississippi Valley on Monday and Tuesday.
AccuWeather meteorologists believe there is the potential for a significant outbreak of severe thunderstorms that includes multiple tornadoes. Some of the tornadoes could be strong and on the ground for miles should the situation escalate to its full potential.
Where storms repeat over the hours and days in the middle of the nation, the likelihood of flash urban flooding can be followed by the flooding of small streams and significant rises on some of the secondary rivers in the region.
Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts™ are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Severe Weather Expected Across Much of the U.S. on Saturday
After a run of severe weather this week, another day of thunderstorm activity was on tap for the Mid-Atlantic, the Southeast and the Southern Plains on Saturday, and the severe weather was expected to persist through the weekend, forecasters said. On Saturday, the threat will be focused over the Southeast, with the highest risk over northern Mississippi and northern Alabama, where clusters of thunderstorms could kick up powerful, damaging winds. When these clusters of thunderstorms become organized, they can 'create their own environment and they become more powerful than a typical thunderstorm,' said Scott Kleebauer, a meteorologist with the Weather Prediction Center. There will also be a low threat of tornadoes on Saturday, 'but the main threat will be wind and that will be across the northern half of Alabama and Mississippi,' he said. On Sunday, the highest area of risk shifts into the southern Plains, especially the Texas Panhandle into western-north Texas and southwest Oklahoma, where thunderstorms could deliver strong winds and large hail, with a moderate risk for tornadoes. Lubbock and Amarillo in Texas and Lawton, Okla., all fall within areas with an enhanced risk of thunderstorm activity. 'I would say the best bet for tornadoes on Sunday would be the Texas Panhandle,' Mr. Kleebauer said. Forecast risk of severe storms for Sunday Some Moderate High The severe weather is being driven by a large and strong storm system moving eastward and interacting with a slow-moving weather front, stretching from the southern Plains through the Ohio Valley. The front is expected to remain nearly stationary over the coming days, said Jennifer Tate, a meteorologist at the Weather Prediction Center. As warm, moist air flows northward into the front, conditions will be favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms. 'That flow coming in from the Gulf, that can bring moisture and instability that are needed to produce those storms,' she said. The setup also brings a risk of flash flooding, especially in areas already saturated from recent rainfall, where repeated rounds of storms are expected. 'With the storms being slow-moving, then there can be multiple rounds of storms affecting the same areas,' Ms. Tate said. 'It makes the soils pretty wet, and then you get another round and that can lead to more flooding.' Flash flood risks will linger. On Saturday the threat falls across southeastern Oklahoma, Arkansas, northern Mississippi and western Tennessee. On Sunday, it shifts into north Texas and south Oklahoma. A gradual improvement in conditions is expected early next week, although some storm activity may still continue in the region.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Scattered rain and heat expected in Acadiana this week
LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) – After a humid start to the day, temperatures warm quickly through the day reaching the lower 90s in the afternoon. A few storms will develop, but much of the area will stay rain-free today. Tonight, any rain comes to an end as temperatures settle in the 70s. Sunday will see similar conditions around the area with hot temperatures in the afternoon but there will be a better rain chances. Showers and storms should be more scattered in nature allowing for some cooling effects for Acadiana. In the tropics, dry air and wind shear continue to prevent any tropical development and no tropical activity is expected through the next 7 days. Locally, we will be watching an increase in rain chances next week as a weak cold front settles across the area. This will lead to widespread daily storm chances with some heavier rainfall possible towards midweek. The good news with the rain chances is that temperatures will remain cooler in the upper 80s for highs. Download the KLFY Weather App by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
2 hours ago
- CBS News
After heavy rains bring flash flooding to the Pittsburgh area, cleanup efforts begin
Friday evening was a flat-out dangerous time to be outside as heavy rains hit the region and brought fast, flash flooding. Now, on Saturday, a ton of cleanup lies ahead. The streets were flooded in Wall Borough, leaving many to grab whatever they could and get out, leaving the mess behind. That mess included sheds being damaged, cars submerged, and even a natural gas line being exposed. Valley Avenue in Wall Borough turned into a river as torrential waters rushed down the street, leaving residents shocked and stunned. "[It] looks pretty bad, the roads tore up, I have water coming through the walls of my basement and into my living room," said Pattie Marshall, a resident of Valley Avenue. The severe weather swept through the Pittsburgh area, not just on Valley Avenue, but others, leaving the same results: flash flooding and water rescues. Meanwhile, in Wall Borough, the streets were covered with debris, damaged homes, sheds that were pulled off their foundations, and vehicles pushed into fences. Luckily, emergency crews were able to move in quickly and get the road reopened. No injuries were reported during the flooding, but now, many are left with damaged homes and a big cleanup effort ahead of them. Impacts from Friday's strong storms Not far from Wall Borough, a car became nearly completely submerged in water on the Tri-Boro Expressway in Monroeville. A vehicle was nearly completely submerged in flood waters on the Tri-Boro Expressway in Monroville on June 6, 2025. Credit: KDKA Right down the road, the home of the Woodland Hills High School football team, the Wolvarena, became partially flooded. In Turtle Creek, The Wolvarena was partially flooded by rain on June 6, 2025. Credit: Robin Preisach Gehry The National Weather Service also said on social media that there were reports of flooded roads and vehicles being stranded in floodwaters near Pitcairn. A spokesperson for Allegheny County said swift water rescue teams were sent to impacted areas, including North Versailles and White Oak. At least three rescues were made from two homes in North Versailles, and one person was rescued from a car in floodwaters in White Oak.
