Latest news with #severethunderstorms
New York Times
25-05-2025
- Climate
- New York Times
Severe Storms Threaten Parts of the Southern Plains
Severe thunderstorms threatened parts of the Southern Plains on Sunday, where damaging winds, hail larger than baseballs and a few tornadoes were expected, forecasters warned. The storms were expected to develop starting by the middle of Sunday afternoon. Forecasters expressed the greatest concern for parts of central and northeastern Texas into central and southwestern Oklahoma. The Storm Prediction Center issued a level 3 out of 5 risk — or an enhanced risk — for severe weather for these areas on Sunday, warning of the possibility of hail of up to three inches in diameter and winds up to 80 miles per hour. Parts of the lower Mississippi Valley and the Deep South were also expected to face rounds of severe weather, including strong damaging winds and hail, as the storms move east into Sunday night. A couple of tornadoes were also possible on Sunday, especially for northeast Texas into southwest Oklahoma. The Weather Prediction Center issued a level 3 out of 4 risk for flash flooding through Monday, focused on central Oklahoma into northwestern Arkansas. The potential for thunderstorms was expected to continue on Monday, with large hail and damaging winds still the primary concerns. The highest risk will be across north and central Texas and into parts of Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas. Large hail, some possibly bigger than golf balls, and damaging winds will be likely over central and western Texas. Farther east, Alabama, Mississippi and parts of Louisiana may also experience scattered strong storms later on Monday afternoon, though the storm threat is expected to be lower in these regions. John Pike, a forecaster at the Weather Service office in Norman, Okla., on Saturday called the weather 'quite typical' for the lower Great Plains where spring thunderstorm activity usually peaks in May.
The Guardian
23-05-2025
- Climate
- The Guardian
Weather tracker: Thunderstorms and tornadoes lash US midwest
Severe thunderstorms have battered parts of the US this week as the storm season reaches its climatological peak. The outbreak began last Friday, with Kentucky and Missouri worst affected. Powerful tornadoes associated with supercell thunderstorms whipped across swaths of the midwest, resulting in 25 deaths. One tornado tore through St Louis, killing seven people. Further rounds of severe thunderstorms struck farther west in Oklahoma and Kansas over the subsequent days, moving eastwards over the course of the week. One tornado narrowly missed the city of Greensburg, Kansas, which had previously been devastated by an EF5 tornado – the highest rating – in 2007. Strong tornadoes and hailstones more than 10cm (4in) in diameter were reported early this week. Further severe thunderstorms are likely over the coming days across the region but are unlikely to be as severe or widespread. Meanwhile, remote parts of south-east Australia have been inundated with torrential rain and floods caused by a slow-moving area of low pressure lingering on the coast of New South Wales. Rainfall totals of 300-500mm have been widely recorded, with a further 200mm expected in places by the end of Friday. As a result, rivers have reached unprecedented levels, with the Manning in Taree rising to 6.3 metres – breaking a record set in 1929. The floods have killed three people, and more than 50,000 residents have been told to evacuate with heavy rains expected to continue over the coming days. More than 100 schools have closed, and the New South Wales state emergency service has responded to more than 500 rescues since the flooding began, including dozens via helicopter from rooftops. Flooding has also affected south-eastern France, resulting in the deaths of three people. Torrential downpours and thunderstorms struck the French Riviera early this week, and one storm dumped more than 250mm of rain in an hour in the town of Le Lavandou. Rapid flooding caught many by surprise as water levels swelled quickly when the storms hit. The force of the water has damaged roads and bridges and disrupted water and power supplies.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Kansas City under enhanced severe weather risk Monday, multiple rounds of storms expected
Severe thunderstorms are possible from Monday afternoon into Monday night. The Storm Prediction Center has issued an Enhanced Risk, level 3 out of 5, for the Kansas City area. While many ingredients favorable for severe thunderstorms will come together on Monday, the setup remains messy across the Enhanced Risk area.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Tornadoes, hail likely today as next round of severe storms hit Oklahoma: See radar, alerts
A multi-day outbreak of severe thunderstorms that rocked the Midwest has shifted toward Oklahoma and will continue into early next week. According to the National Weather Service in Norman, the first round of severe weather on Sunday, May 17, in Oklahoma is expected to start after 5 p.m. Potential for tornadoes is expected to be low, but north-central parts of the state could see medium risk. Storms could produce baseball-sized hail and wind speeds could top 80 mph, the weather service states. On Friday, at least 23 people were killed in Kentucky, Missouri and Virginia after storms and reported tornadoes tore through the region as part of an extreme weather outbreak, "leaving behind a trail of destruction," authorities told USA TODAY. The weather service said more storms are expected in Oklahoma and around the Great Plains on Monday, May 19, as well, with more significant tornadoes possible. Oklahomans should plan ahead to keep their families safe. Here's what you need to know. Be prepared — tornadoes are possible in and around the area mentioned in the watch. Be ready to act quickly. NWS: How to prepare for a tornado Take action now. A warning means someone saw a tornado or one was indicated by weather radar. Under a tornado warning, there's imminent danger to life and property. Everyone should move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and avoid windows. See live updates on how weather is impacting OGE power. Tweets by NWS Norman This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Tornadoes, hail likely as next round of storms hit Oklahoma: See radar
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Storm-stricken central US braces for more volatile weather ahead
Severe thunderstorms will continue to batter the central United States through Tuesday, with tornadoes, damaging hail and flash flooding all posing a risk to life and property, according to AccuWeather experts. Since Thursday, approximately 1,200 reports of severe wind gusts (58 mph or greater), hail and tornadoes have been compiled by the Storm Prediction Center from the southern Plains to the Upper Midwest and New England. Nearly five dozen tornadoes have been confirmed as of Sunday morning. Another wave of severe thunderstorms will develop through Sunday night before the storm driving this turbulent weather pattern starts to shift eastward early this week. Travelers across the region should remain alert for hazards such as debris on roadways, downed power lines, damaging hail and flooded areas over the coming days. Dallas to Kansas City in heart of Monday's severe weather risk zone "Moisture from the Gulf of America will expand across the central and southern Plains on Monday, which will set the stage for severe thunderstorms Monday afternoon and evening ahead of a developing low pressure system," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Mike Youman said. This storm will tap into warm, moist air and set the stage for "damaging to destructive thunderstorms," according to Youman. AccuWeather meteorologists have highlighted a "high" risk area for severe thunderstorms encompassing southeastern Kansas, northeastern Oklahoma, the Ozark Mountains and southwestern Missouri. While this region faces the greatest threat, including potential tornadoes, dangerous conditions posing risks to lives and property could extend far beyond, reaching as far north as South Dakota and as far south as the app? Unlock AccuWeather Alerts™ with Premium+ "Large hail, damaging wind gusts and tornadoes will all be possible, and these hazards will linger after dark," Youman said. Parts of the Tennessee Valley and Southeast could also face a separate cluster of thunderstorms on Monday, bringing heavy rainfall and damaging winds, distinct from the primary severe weather outbreak area farther to the west. Severe weather dangers spread eastward into midweek, flood risk to increase On Tuesday, the severe weather threat will move eastward into the lower Ohio Valley and Tennessee Valley, putting regions that were impacted by powerful storms as recently as last Friday once again at risk. "Damaging wind gusts, hail and tornadoes will be possible once again which can exacerbate the damage that has occurred in some areas and delay cleanup efforts in others," Youman said. Trees weakened by saturated soil or compromised by recent strong wind gusts may face an increased risk of damage during the upcoming storms, experts warn. "While thunderstorms will be rather progressive in nature through Tuesday, similar areas will be impacted on back-to-back days. As a result, these heavy downpours occurring on already saturated grounds can lead to flooding issues," Youman said. The risk of flooding will include most of but also expand outside of the severe weather risk zones through Tuesday night. "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," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said. Heavy thunderstorms will reach western Maryland, perhaps in a subsevere state, on Tuesday night, as crews continue to clean up in the wake of extensive flooding last week which prompted a state of emergency. A few thunderstorms could briefly intensify to severe levels along the Southeast coast on Wednesday. Meanwhile, as the storm slows dramatically upon reaching the East Coast, the Northeast can expect several days of wet, dreary and cooler weather conditions for the second half of the week. 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.
