Severe thunderstorms to rattle Plains, Midwest
Following localized severe weather over portions of the Rockies on Tuesday, AccuWeather meteorologists say the main threat of severe thunderstorms shifted eastward across the Great Plains at midweek and will then to more of the Midwest Thursday.
As the large storm responsible for the severe weather over the Rockies pushed eastward at midweek, severe weather erupted in a more general configuration over the Great Plains. A cold front will begin to take shape and will become the main focusing point for severe thunderstorms.
As the storms cross the major highways or approach the major airport hubs, significant travel disruptions can occur.
On Thursday, the cold front will continue to press eastward and will cross the upper and middle portion of the Mississippi River. Severe thunderstorms are forecast to erupt from Wisconsin to central Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma.
Within this zone are the major cities of Chicago, St. Louis, Milwaukee, Oklahoma City, and later Thursday evening in Indianapolis and perhaps Little Rock, Arkansas.
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The most potent thunderstorms will carry the same severe weather risks as from Wednesday, with strong wind gusts, hail and flash flooding being the main threats. And once again, some of the strongest storms may set off a tornado.
On Friday, the risk of severe weather will continue to progress to the east and south. Storms capable of producing damaging wind gusts, hail and flash flooding will extend from Michigan, western Pennsylvania and West Virginia to central Arkansas and the northern parts of Mississippi and Alabama. The risk may even extend as far west as western Kansas.
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Much of Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee will be in the severe weather threat zone.
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