© AccuWeatherThe severe weather risk includes the potential for a few tornadoes as well.
A storm system will slowly push onto the southern Plains from the Rockies, setting up powerful and potentially destructive thunderstorms toward evening.
The main threats with these storms will be large hail, high winds and flash flooding. However, there is the potential for a few tornadoes, especially after dark.
On the cold side of the storm, heavy snow and strong winds will produce a blizzard in portions of Colorado, Nebraska and Kansas. On the warm side, damaging severe thunderstorms will roll across west-central Texas and west-central Oklahoma.
According to Expert Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski, "Cities that may be in the path of the storms late this afternoon through tonight include Abilene, Amarillo, Childress, Wichita Falls and Lubbock in Texas as well as Clinton and Lawton in Oklahoma."
"In a matter of a couple of hours toward the end of today, the weather may turn from tranquil to dangerous," Sosnowski adds.
As the storm system continues to press eastward, the threat for severe thunderstorms will shift into eastern Oklahoma, central and northeastern Texas, western Arkansas and northwestern Louisiana Friday.
The main threats will be similar to today's powerful storms, with damaging winds, large hail and flash flooding the most likely impacts. However, as is with the case of any severe thunderstorm, a tornado is possible.
In addition to severe thunderstorms, a heavy, drenching rain will fall along the Gulf Coast. Too much rain in a short amount of time can lead to flooding problems, especially in urban and poor drainage areas.
A few gusty, drenching thunderstorms can swing northward into southeastern Kansas and southwestern Missouri.
Despite flash flooding concerns, many places in Texas and along the Gulf Coast are still in the grips of severe drought. Any rain that falls in these areas will certainly be beneficial and help ease the strain of drought-induced hardships.
Reader Comments
to our Newsletter