A severe weather outbreak is expected again today, overnight and into tomorrow in the Midwest and South. Tornadoes, severe thunderstorm gusts and large hail are possible today and tonight from the Upper Great Lakes to central Texas. The storm system and the storm map are very similar to what the areas experienced last week, although thankfully, the highest risk level is stated as moderate (level 4 out of 5) as opposed to high (5) last week.
From www.spc.noaa.gov/… — Tornado potential is focused today over parts of Iowa/Illinois this afternoon, and especially tonight over parts of the Ozarks to the Arklatex region.
There are also winter storm warnings to the north and wildfire warnings in the southwest.
From www.spc.noaa.gov/…
Supercell thunderstorms are expected to develop by 22z/5 pm CDT and shift east across central/southern Iowa, northern Missouri and northwest Illinois through the evening. These storms will be capable of producing very large hail, tornadoes (some strong) and damaging gusts. A tornado watch will likely be issued in the next couple of hours.
We cannot see much in radar images yet, but like last week, these storms will likely develop and explode in the afternoon and into the late evening hours. There is still time to prepare.
The storms will hit in two rounds over IA, IL and MO.
Today’s map looks eerily like the one last week, perhaps weaker, but the likelihood of overnight storms and tornadoes is higher.
Preparations
Please be prepared and inform your friends and family in affected areas.
Preparedness actions from www.spc.noaa.gov/...
Review your severe weather safety procedures for the possibility of dangerous weather today.
Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, weather.gov, or other media for watches and warnings.
A tornado watch means that conditions are favorable for tornadoes to form during the next several hours.
If a tornado warning is issued for your area, move to a place of safety, ideally in a basement or interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.
Prepare for power outages as well.
Please post additional information about resources, storm shelters, etc. in the comments section.
Causes of the latest bouts of severe weather
From weather.com/..., the cause of today’s storms are very similar to what occurred last week.
A strong, dynamic jet stream aloft will roar overhead from the Southwest to the Plains, providing strong wind shear for thunderstorms that do form.
At the surface, moisture will once again return to the Mississippi and Ohio valleys as the strong low-pressure system pivots from the Rockies toward the upper Midwest.
If this pattern seems familiar, that's because it's almost the exact configuration as the one that brought dozens of tornadoes to the region on Friday.
Here is the crazy temperature difference between the two parts of the country and line along which thunderstorms and supercells will form.
Resources
Storm shelter map -
Please stay safe and keep tabs on friends and family in the affected areas.