Serious weather issues anticipated in the Central United States, just a few days after devastating storms impacted Houston.
As stormy conditions decrease in the central Gulf Coast, the likelihood of severe storms increases throughout the Central Plains on Sunday and Monday. Over 24 million people are potentially at risk for these extreme thunderstorms in certain regions of the Central Plains.
"A surface low pressure system will bring heavy rain and thunderstorms to the Great Plains and Upper/Middle Mississippi Valley on Sunday," stated the National Weather Service.
A level 3, or "enhanced", risk has been issued for western and central parts of Kansas, which includes the cities of Dodge City, Salina, Hutchinson, Garden City, and Hays. The anticipated storms could result in destructive winds up to 75mph, large hail measuring more than two inches, and a possibility of a few tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service.
"Scattered severe storms are set to impact the region on Sunday afternoon and evening," the National Weather Service in Wichita shared. "The strongest storms will have the potential to produce golf ball-sized hail, 80 mph wind gusts, and a tornado cannot be ruled out."
Selected east coast areas in Florida also face a level 2, or 'slight', risk for severe thunderstorms on Sunday, with large hail being likely, as per the Storm Prediction Center.
Over the next several days, the central US is forecasted to experience an escalating threat of severe weather and excessive rainfall, according to the National Weather Service.
On Monday, the severe thunderstorm risk diminishes to a level 2 for the Central Plains and shifts eastwards to include sections of Nebraska, Kansas, southwest Iowa, and northwest Missouri, which contains cities like Kansas City and Omaha. Hail and intense wind gusts are expected to be the primary hazards.
"Severe thunderstorms are possible in portions of Nebraska and Kansas, moving into western Iowa and northwest Missouri on Monday afternoon through Monday night," the Storm Prediction Center indicated. "More sporadic strong to severe storms might reach parts of the Middle Mississippi Valley and southern Wisconsin."
Throughout Tuesday, the prospects for severe thunderstorms linger in the Mississippi Valley, with damaging winds illustrating the primary worry. Additionally, large hail and tornadoes might also occur.
In the meantime, inhabitants of the Houston area, who are still recovering from Thursday's storms, will confront a different peril during the early part of next week: intense heat. Contrasting the recent wet and windy weather that caused at least 7 fatalities, damaged structures, felled trees, downed power cables, and made debris-covered roads impassable, the impending heat index could reach three-digit figures.
Several hazards from such extreme heat exist.
Power outages affected over 351,000 homes and businesses in Harris County as of late Saturday evening, as per poweroutage.us. In the upcoming days, heat indices are projected to reach the 90s on Sunday and Monday and then reach the 100s on Tuesday and Wednesday. For residents without air conditioning, this poses a challenge amidst the restoration efforts, as authorities have reported that restoring power for all customers might take weeks.
"Widespread power outages persist across the Houston metro region. Exercise caution when using generators," the National Weather Service in Houston advised. "Additionally, be mindful of the symptoms for heat exhaustion/stroke, as high temperatures around 90° this weekend could pose a hazard during the cleanup process."
CNN's Gene Norman contributed to this report.
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The National Weather Service also warned of potential severe thunderstorms in selected east coast areas of Florida on Sunday, with large hail being likely. In the aftermath of the storms in Houston, residents will face a different threat during the early part of next week: intense heat.
Source: edition.cnn.com
