Severe storms are expected to impact the central and southern regions of the United States through this weekend, bringing a risk of large hail, damaging winds, and heavy rain. The Plains region, including Texas and Nebraska, is particularly at risk for severe weather.
On Saturday, eastern Colorado will experience severe thunderstorms that could produce golf-ball-sized hail and wind gusts over 60 mph. Around lunchtime on Saturday, showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop in Kansas and intensify as they move eastward. The Oklahoma Panhandle into southwestern Kansas is under a Level 3 severe weather risk for the potential of thunderstorms generating damaging wind gusts.
On Sunday, strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible from the northern and central Plains into the Upper Midwest, with damaging wind gusts and large hail as primary threats. Residents in Jackson, Mississippi, Birmingham, Alabama, and Nashville, Tennessee are on alert for potential heavy rainfall and flash flooding due to slow-moving showers.
The Southeast is also at risk for excessive rainfall with a Level 3 out of 4 'moderate risk' expected over parts of far southern Alabama and the southern and western Florida Panhandle. Rain rates could exceed 2 inches per hour, leading to flooding incidents in multiple states.
Despite the threat of severe weather, residents are encouraged to stay informed and take necessary precautions. The National Weather Service advises against traveling during thunderstorms and urges people to seek shelter if a tornado warning is issued.
