The risk of severe thunderstorms that could bring large hail, damaging winds and powerful tornadoes is increasing across parts of the Southern and Central Plains on Monday, affecting more than 8 million people, weather officials said. exposed to that danger.
“The area of greatest concern is definitely parts of Oklahoma and south-central Kansas,” Kelly Butler, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Wichita office, said Sunday.
“Strong to long-lasting tornadoes are possible, including large to giant hail and tornadoes the size of baseballs and softballs,” she said.
“Anyone in the affected area should have a safety plan in place,” she said.
meteorological bureau Described the environment from southern Kansas to Oklahoma. “It's similar to some high-end, even historic severe weather and tornado events in the past.”
As the front moves out of the Rocky Mountains, heavy rain showers and thunderstorms are expected across parts of eastern Kansas and Nebraska, western Iowa and Missouri, the Weather Prediction Center said.
The center said there is a moderate risk (4 out of 5) of severe thunderstorms in parts of the Central Plains and Southern Plains from Monday to Tuesday morning.
Forecasters said many of the storms could intensify and produce damaging winds and strong tornadoes across south-central Kansas. Hazards associated with these thunderstorms include frequent lightning strikes, wind gusts up to 114 mph, and hailstones larger than 2 inches in diameter, the center said.
of National Weather Service office in Wichita, Kansaswarned of “moderate to heavy rain” into Monday morning.
The Weather Prediction Center also warned of a slight chance of excessive rain in parts of the Central Plains and Mid-Mississippi Valley from Monday into Tuesday morning. Heavy rain could cause flash flooding in urban areas, roads, streams and low-lying areas.
