Central US thunderstorms over the Memorial Day weekend may generate twisters without warning.
In stark contrast to the severe weather enduring by many, an early-season heat wave is set to bake regions in south Texas and southern Florida.
The National Weather Service has indicated that a combination of high temperatures and humidity is fueling a series of storms anywhere from Missouri on eastward, with the potential for nocturnal tornadoes appearing during the overnight period.
On Saturday evening, a line of violent storms swept through northern Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas, leaving many areas to contend with torrential rain and grapefruit-sized hail.
Despite expiring by late Saturday evening, tornado watches remained in Kansas and severe thunderstorm watches extended further east, affecting millions inside their range.
As the storms gather momentum and intensity, they will encroach on the Mississippi Valley in the evening and overnight hours.
Severe thunderstorms with a high potential for tornadoes are expected to continue over sections of the Mississippi Valley throughout Sunday morning before gradually diminishing. However, more intense storms are anticipated to emerge swiftly thereafter.
Throughout Sunday afternoon, thunderstorms will appear in various parts of the Midwest, with the possibility of a wider distribution southward and eastward by the evening. Storms of substantial force may encompass regions from the Great Lakes to the South on Sunday night.
While winds and hail represent the predominant hazards, some storms could unleash tornadoes. The highest tornado risk exists in the Midwest and its peripheries.
Major airports, including Chicago, Indianapolis, St. Louis, and Nashville, may experience disruptions due to harmful storms, potentially resulting in flight delays or cancellations.
Over 77 million Americans will be within range of potential hail, tornadoes, and damaging winds during the Memorial Day weekend as this multi-day severe weather event continues to strike parts of the country.
The wave of violent thunderstorms defeated parts of the southern and central US on Saturday, bringing forth flooded watches and warnings and occasionally a particularly dangerous situation tornado watch, with the National Weather Service expressing high confidence in the potential for EF2 strength tornadoes to manifest.
On Sunday, the looming menace of storms will be targeted towards the Ohio and Tennessee River Valleys.
Several remnants of the Saturday night storms will persist through midmorning on Sunday, followed by a second set of storms that afternoon.
It is expected that a region encompassing eastern Missouri, the Ohio Valley and beyond will be subjected to a Level 3 out of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms.
This Level 3 risk positions a multitude of threats, such as regular lightning, damaging storm-force wind gusts, sizable hail, and an array of tornadoes.
Potential hazards also include the danger of massive hail, EF2 to EF5 tornadoes, and wind gusts reaching speeds of 74 mph or beyond in the region.
In addition, excessive rainfall in parts of the Ohio, Tennessee, and middle Mississippi Valleys and Central Appalachians spurred a Level 2 of 4 alert, or moderate risk. Places like Louisville, Kentucky; Cincinnati; St. Louis; Nashville, Tennessee; and Indianapolis may experience a portion of this risk.
A Level 4 out of 5 risk was assigned by the Storm Prediction Center to sections of the Central and Southern Plains through Sunday morning. This risk specifies frequent lightning, dangerous storm-wide wind gusts, hail, and a modest number of tornadoes.
Storm gusts of 74 mph or higher may impact areas in Kansas, western Missouri, and northern Oklahoma as well.
Record-breaking heat expected in certain cities
The arrival of summer has brought foreboding, record-breaking heat to specific locations in the United States, including Houston, New Orleans, Miami, Mobile, Alabama, Tampa, Florida, and Charleston, South Carolina. Temperatures in these cities may reach heat indices well into the months of July.
A subtropical high positioned above Mexico is anticipated to be the perpetrator behind the excessive heat warnings and heat advisories afflicting southern Texas through Monday.
For individuals spending time outdoors or experiencing power outages, it's crucial to stay hydrated, wear lightweight clothing, and seek out cooling centers if needed.
(CNN meteorologist Elisa Raffa contributed to this report.)
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Despite the severe heat wave affecting south Texas and southern Florida, the National Weather Service has warned about a possibility of twisters without warning due to central US thunderstorms. The excessive heat in cities like Houston, New Orleans, and Miami is expected to continue, potentially leading to heat indices in July.
Source: edition.cnn.com
