Powerful storms swept through Missouri and other parts of the Midwest Friday night, marking the first phase of a severe weather outbreak expected to last several days. This multiday event is predicted to bring tornadoes, flash flooding, and damaging winds, primarily affecting the South on Saturday.
This outbreak is notable as it is the first of such magnitude this year and only the third occurrence of the National Weather Service issuing a high-risk warning a day in advance. The severe weather began Friday evening, with powerful storms targeting parts of the South and Midwest.
A line of storms capable of producing tornadoes was forecast to move from west of St. Louis heading eastward, prompting multiple tornado warnings in the area.
According to the National Weather Service, a tornado watch was issued from Tupelo, Mississippi, to Evansville, Illinois, including major cities like Memphis and Paducah, lasting until 3 a.m. CT on Saturday. The agency warned that several tornadoes, some strong, along with damaging winds of 80 mph and large hail, are possible amid this severe weather.
Furthermore, another tornado watch has been issued for parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, including Baton Rouge and Jackson, until 10 p.m. CT Friday, with a likelihood of intense tornadoes and damaging gusts of up to 70 mph.
Severe thunderstorm watches extended from Des Moines to Chicago.
On Saturday, the most significant tornado threat shifts into the Deep South, focusing on eastern Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the western Florida Panhandle. Notably, a state of emergency was declared in Alabama by Governor Kay Ivey as the region braced for potential long-track and violent tornadoes.
As the day progresses, the severe weather threat is expected to intensify, with destructive winds and large hail anticipated.
On Sunday, the storms are expected to weaken as they move toward the East Coast, primarily affecting areas from Florida to Pennsylvania. The tornado threat will range from the Carolinas to Georgia during the afternoon.
Residents are urged to stay alert and prepared as this severe weather continues to evolve over the weekend, monitoring local news for updates and taking necessary safety precautions.
