The nation's midsection will see the possibility of severe weather as we near the end of the workweek. Large hail, destructive wind gusts, and a few tornadoes are all possible. With strong July sunshine interacting with a warm and muggy airmass, lines of thunderstorms will march east-southeast or southeast across various parts of the Plains today.
The government’s Storm Prediction Center has issued an Enhanced Risk, or a 3 out of 5 on a severe weather scale, for organized stormy weather for the eastern half of Nebraska, southeast South Dakota, and a large portion of western Iowa. Norfolk, Neb., Omaha, Neb., and Sioux City, Iowa are included in this risk. Severe winds gusts greater than 60 mph are possible as well as large hail and a couple of tornadoes.
Surronding the Enhanced Risk is a Slight Risk in portions of Iowa, southeast South Dakota, southwest Minnesota, Nebraska, central to western Kansas, and eastern Colorado. Damaging winds and large hail are the main threats with this risk.
A Tornado Watch has been issued for eastern Nebraska.
The primary risks with these potentially severe thunderstorms will be hail larger than golf balls and isolated destructive wind gusts of 60 to 75 mph. The afternoon and evening hours will see the greatest risk for these concerns.
The Storm Prediction Center has issued a Slight Risk for northeast New York and a large portion of Vermont. This includes places like Plattsburg, N.Y., Burlington, Vt., and Montpelier, Vt. A weak disturbance will move over the area and initiate storms that will be capable of strong winds and scattered hail.
As we end the workweek on Friday, the area of concern for severe weather in the Plains will shift a bit to the east as the same basic pattern is in place and is slow to change. The main pieces of the stagnant pattern will be a clash of drier air behind a slowly moving area of low pressure over the High Plains and a warm and humid airmass over the Mississippi River Valley.
The best way to remain safe is to stay prepared and informed about your local weather. Have a severe weather kit packed with a battery-operated radio, water and non-perishable food items should you be without power for long periods of time. Also, check the WeatherBug app frequently for any updates on today’s severe weather. Remember, “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!”