A potent storm system will bring oodles of weather to the central U.S. From blizzard conditions to severe weather, everything is on the table into the midweek.
A strong low pressure system will continue traversing through the nation’s midsection today, bringing concerning weather conditions to much of the central U.S. In the case for the Deep South, strong to severe storms are anticipated to form. Meanwhile, residents from eastern Colorado to Iowa will be dealing with snow and windy conditions.
A Tornado Watch is in effect for northeastern Texas, southeastern Oklahoma and far western Arkansas. This includes Killen, Dallas, Tyler and Texarkana, Texas, Muskogee, Okla., and Mena, Ark. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is also in effect for northeastern Oklahoma, northwestern Arkansas and southwestern Missouri, which includes Joplin, Mo., and Fayetteville, Ark.
The main focus for severe weather will be for northeastern Texas and southern Arkansas to northern and eastern Louisiana and central and southern Mississippi. Gusty winds in excess of 55 mph can be expected but some places may even see wind gusts exceed 75 mph! Tornadoes will also be a concern, particularly in the areas highlighted in Louisiana and Mississippi. Small hail may form as well. Storms are currently ongoing in Texas before reaching much of the Deep South later this afternoon.
The Storm Prediction Center has an Enhanced Risk for severe weather in this area, including Tyler and Paris, Texas, Pine Bluff and El Dorado, Ark., New Orleans and Shreveport, La., Gulfport, Greenville, and Jackson, Miss., and Mobile, Ala.
In a stark contrast of weather, the northern and central Plains and portions of the Midwest will experience snow associated with this same storm system. A coating to 4 inches of snow will be common here today. Heavy snow bands may occur as well, particularly from northern Iowa to southern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin, which could lead to 4 to 9 inches of snow. Some isolated areas in southern South Dakota and northern Nebraska may see isolated 4 to 7 inch amounts too.
In addition to the snow, strong winds will occur, leading to reduced visibilities in some area. Thus, Blizzard Warnings have been issued in northeastern Colorado and far northwestern Kansas into western Nebraska as well as for northeastern Kansas, northwestern Missouri, southwestern and north-central Iowa and far southern Minnesota. Winter Storm Watches/Warnings, Winter Weather Advisories, and High Wind Warnings can also be found across the Front Range and the rest of the central and southern High Plains, the central Plains, and parts of the western Midwest.
This potent system will continue to wreck havoc as it mows eastward through the rest of the Midwest and later the eastern U.S. on Wednesday. Additional severe weather can be expected for the East Coast as this system’s cold front charges forward.
