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US Central Plains Brace for Week of Severe Storms
13 Apr
Summary
- Multiple severe storm rounds will bring hail, wind, and possible tornadoes.
- Flooding is a concern, especially in water-logged northern Michigan and Wisconsin.
- The storm threat zone will shift daily through Friday, with a weekend break.
Dangerous weather is forecast for the central US, with multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms expected to unleash destructive hail, damaging winds, and potential tornadoes through Friday. About a dozen states, from Texas to the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes, will experience storm threats on various days as atmospheric conditions align for intense thunderstorm development. Significant flooding concerns are also present, especially in northern Michigan and Wisconsin, where rivers are already high due to recent rainfall. Specific areas like southern Minnesota and west-central Wisconsin are anticipating intense severe storms by Monday afternoon, with hail potentially as large as baseballs, along with tornadoes and damaging winds. Tuesday is anticipated to have the most widespread severe storms, impacting areas from West Texas to Oklahoma and the Great Lakes, with Chicago, Milwaukee, and Des Moines under a Level 3 of 5 risk. These storms could produce large hail and strong tornadoes. As storms move eastward into Wednesday, wind damage and hail are the primary concerns, rather than tornadoes. A final round of potent thunderstorms is expected on Friday, primarily from Oklahoma to Iowa. The central US is expected to finally get a break over the weekend with a change in weather patterns bringing cooler temperatures.
