Massive Storm May Bring Thunderstorm Risks to Central, Southern US

There is a possibility that a widespread storm system will bring the risk of severe thunderstorms to the central and southern United States.

This week, the United States will face more than just snow and ice as a massive storm moves from coast to coast. According to AccuWeather, a severe thunderstorm threat will develop Monday evening through Tuesday night, affecting at least 10 states in the Central and Southern regions.

States at Risk for Severe Weather

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Early in the week, several states in the southern United States, including Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, as well as parts of north-eastern Alabama and southwestern Tennessee, will be vulnerable to a wide range of severe weather, according to AccuWeather.

There will be snow in Plains and Midwest on Monday when a cross-country storm moves east of the Rocky Mountains. After being dragged northward into the South Central states and Mississippi Valley on Monday, forecasters say Gulf moisture will be ready for thunderstorm development through Tuesday night.

At the beginning of this week, a large amount of deep, moist air will be brought in from the Gulf of Mexico. From areas of Texas and Oklahoma to Mississippi and Tennessee, this moisture will provide the fuel for some potentially explosive storms "Mary Gilbert, an AccuWeather Meteorologist, explained.

Afternoon and nighttime thunderstorms might reach as far west as Dallas and Oklahoma City before moving eastward into the Mississippi Valley on Monday afternoon and night.

Early this week, any storm that forms could unleash devastating winds, torrential rainfall, and hail, Gilbert said. However, even the strongest storms can produce enormous hail and even an isolated tornado or two if they are strong enough to roar to life.

Also Read: Suspected Tornadoes Leaves Oklahoma in Ruins, Prompting Power Outage in Some Region

Residents Urged to Prepare for the Severe Weather

It is possible for damaging wind gusts to reach the AccuWeather Local StormMaxTM of 75 mph in the most severe storms.

There will be comparable threats to southern Missouri, southwest Kentucky, western Tennessee and northwestern Mississippi as the severe weather threat moves eastward through Tuesday. However, the threat of severe weather developing tonight, including the possibility of tornadoes, raises the stakes even higher.

As per NBC News, severe storms are anticipated to form in the afternoon and intensify into the evening on Tuesday following severe weather blooms on Monday night. There's a good chance some of these destructive storms may linger into the night, when most people are asleep Gilbert stated.

Prior to a severe weather event, residents should be prepared. Gilbert emphasized the importance of preparing electronic devices in case of power outages and having several ways to get weather warnings for those in the path of possibly severe storms.

It's a good idea to revisit or expand your weather-related preparations since strong storms are expected to hit early this week.

Potential Flash Flooding

The severe danger for Monday and Tuesday has been downgraded to "slight" by the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) of the National Weather Service as of Sunday morning.

"Short-lived or not widespread, isolated intense storms possible." according to the SPC. Early this week, about 25 million Americans will be at risk of severe weather.

Flooding is also a prompting concern in parts of the South, in addition to extreme weather. Parts of the lower Mississippi and Tennessee River Valleys could receive rainfall totals of up to 1-2 inches in the first half of the week, which could cause small river and stream levels to rise.

There is also the possibility of flash flooding, especially in regions with poor drainage and low elevation. Driving through flooded roads should be avoided at all costs by motorists.

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