Risk Of Tornadoes Greatly Seen In Great Plains, Gulf Coast Due To Packed Storms

(Photo : Getty Images/Andrew Spear)

Weather experts warned against tornadoes that may affect the Great Plains and Gulf Coast due to a storm packing rains and winds.

They also said that the likelihood of severe weather would go towards the southeast into the middle of the week.

Tornado Risk Zones

Due to the weather forecast, meteorologists called on the public residing in the severe weather and tornado risk zones to have an audible means to receive bulletins as they are issued by authorities.

In addition to the risks to residents and visitors in the region, travel along some of the highways in the path of the storms could be dangerous as well. Officials added that airline delays would mount as the storms approach the major airport hubs in the region.

The National Weather Service (NWS) said that the significant winter storm would develop over the Northern and Central Plains, Upper Mississippi Valley, and Upper Great Lakes from Sunday evening into Tuesday.

Further, the winter storm will be high-impact and it is seen to be an extensive system producing widespread heavy snow and gusty winds that will persist throughout the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest through Tuesday.

Heavy snow will then spread across much of the Northern Plains and the Upper Midwest on Sunday and this condition is forecasted to continue into Monday.

There is a high chance (greater than 70%) of at least eight inches of snow that will extend from northern Nebraska and central South Dakota northeastward to northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin.

Heavy Snow Load

In addition, the storm will also create hazardous impacts from heavy snow, snow load, and wind.

Moreover, heavy snow and gusty wind will produce areas of blowing or drifting snow and possible blizzard conditions on Sunday up to Monday. Likewise, hazardous travel and road closures are expected late Sunday and even Monday.

Strong winds and heavy, wet snow on trees and power lines may damage trees and cause power outages.

Further, there will be a broad area of light rain as well as freezing rain over parts of the Central Plains into the Upper Great Lakes.

It is expected that by Tuesday, the threat of severe thunderstorms will decrease slightly to a marginal risk over parts of the Ohio Valley, with a second area over parts of the central and eastern Gulf Coast.

Similarly, the showers and thunderstorms will create heavy rains over parts of the central and eastern Gulf Coast.

Therefore, the Weather Prediction Center has issued a slight risk (level 2/4) of excessive rainfall over parts of the central and eastern Gulf Coast on Tuesday.

The associated heavy rain will create mainly localized areas of flash flooding, with urban areas, roads, and small streams the most vulnerable.

Meanwhile, the line of thunderstorms will continue to march eastward across the lower Mississippi Valley and the Mississippi Delta region from southern Missouri and southwestern Kentucky to the upper Texas coast. It will also affect the areas of Louisiana and Mississippi coasts.

The storm will tend to increase in intensity during the afternoon hours because of the daytime heating. This may renew the risk of at least a few tornadoes and waterspouts to develop.