A severe weather outbreak could affect tens of millions of people across more than 25 states, with the threat of large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes starting Friday, according to the FOX Forecast Center.
Forecasters are especially concerned about the potential for dangerous storms over the weekend, though severe weather is also expected on Wednesday and Thursday in parts of the Ark-La-Tex, Deep South, and Gulf Coast.
Severe Storms Are Possible on Wednesday and Thursday
On Wednesday, NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center (SPC) highlighted parts of the southern Plains and lower Mississippi Valley as areas at risk for severe storms.
More than 4 million people in southeastern Oklahoma, northeastern Texas, western Arkansas, and northwestern Louisiana are under a level 2 out of 5 risk for severe weather.
The main threats on Wednesday include large hail and strong winds, with the potential for supercell thunderstorms that could produce significant hail.
By Thursday, the threat shifts east to parts of eastern Mississippi, Alabama, western Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle. Cities like Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, and Birmingham in Alabama are under a level 1 out of 5 threat for severe weather.
Severe Weather Outbreak Could Last All Weekend
The FOX Forecast Center warns that a major severe weather outbreak could begin on Friday as a strong low-pressure system intensifies over the central U.S., dragging a cold front across the region.
Gulf moisture will be pulled north into the lower and mid-Mississippi Valley, possibly reaching as far north as Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois. Combined with wind shear, this setup could create a favorable environment for severe weather, including supercell storms and a fast-moving squall line.
Cities like St. Louis, Memphis, and Little Rock are at the highest risk, with more than 13 million people from northern Mississippi to Illinois under a level 3 out of 5 threat.
The potential for strong tornadoes (EF-2 or higher), damaging winds, and large hail is significant.
Strong Storms Could Hit New Orleans and Atlanta on Saturday
The storm system is expected to continue east on Saturday, putting tens of millions of people from the Gulf Coast to the southern Great Lakes at risk.
Uncertainty remains about how the atmosphere will stabilize in areas farther north, but forecasters expect a corridor of Gulf moisture from central and southern Mississippi to northern Alabama.
This could lead to the development of supercell storms and another fast-moving squall line capable of producing damaging winds, large hail, tornadoes, and heavy rain.
More than 18 million people from Louisiana to the Tennessee Valley are under a level 3 out of 5 threat on Saturday, including cities like New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Birmingham, Montgomery, and Atlanta.
Severe Weather Threat Extends to East Coast on Sunday
By Sunday, the storm threat shifts to the East Coast, affecting nearly 45 million people from northern Florida to New Jersey.
The main threat will be damaging winds, though the chances of hail and tornadoes will decrease.
The SPC has placed major cities like Savannah, Charleston, Raleigh, Richmond, Washington, Baltimore, and Philadelphia under a level 2 out of 5 risk for severe weather.
The storm system could also bring heavy rain, leading to potential flooding issues.
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