Yet another severe weather outbreak is forming in the middle of the United States and it is forecast to move east into the southeast and eventually the east coast by the end of the week. This outbreak comes on the heels of another significant one that impacted a large part of the country April 14-15. That event spawned numerous tornadoes and more than 300 reports of hail and wind damage.
Today, the greatest threat for severe storms this afternoon and evening is from central Texas across the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex to southern Oklahoma, and from southern Kansas to the northern Texas Panhandle. Here, expect damaging hail, and a few severe gusts and tornadoes also are possible.
Severe thunderstorms are expected Thursday across the Lower and Middle Mississippi Valleys as well as across the Southeast and Tennessee Valley. Damaging winds and a few tornadoes are possible, especially from Louisiana into Mississippi.
Numerous thunderstorms are possible from the Mid-Atlantic States southward in Florida on Friday. Some of these storms will be capable of producing damaging wind gusts. A few tornadoes are also possible. According to the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center, given the strong forcing for ascent and little to no convective inhibition, additional thunderstorm development is possible across the Carolinas and much of the mid-Atlantic as early as the late morning. Widespread thunderstorm coverage is anticipated with a generally messy convective mode. Bowing line segments capable of damaging wind gusts appear to be the primary severe threat although tornadoes will be possible as well, particularly in areas of slightly better low-level moisture and backed surface winds. Highest coverage of severe is currently expected from the northeast South Carolina coast into southeastern Virginia where the best overlap between favorable low-level moisture, southeasterly surface winds, and a strong low-level jet exists.
