Category: Posts EN

 

A strong, wide-ranging mid-latitude cyclone is spinning across the Plains. On the cold side, bands of heavy snow are combining with high winds to create dangerous blizzard conditions. On the warm side, severe storms are producing high winds, large hail, and even some strong tornadoes (see tweets below). In other areas, heavy icing and wind-driven wildfires threaten large swaths.

 

 

Exactly what NOT to do: Head on with a tornado!

Mountainburg, AR

Credit/Permission: Scott Michaels#ARwx pic.twitter.com/1tqiMYpJo9

— Live Storm Chasers (@LiveStormChaser) April 13, 2018

 

 

Pea to nickel size #hail falling on the east side of Sioux Falls. Time is 7:03 AM CDT. #SDwx @NWSSiouxFalls pic.twitter.com/vRU8j2kJ58

— Derek Thompson (@DerekjT1003) April 13, 2018

 

The storm system will move east and by Saturday, the severe storm threat will shift to the mid-South (see graphic below from the Storm Prediction Center). Meanwhile, heavy snow and mixed precipitation will continue to keep residents across the northern tier in winter’s icy grip.

 

A potent spring storm will spin up across the Central US on Friday and impact much of the country through Sunday.

Severe thunderstorms will develop to the south of the storm track, while heavy snow and blizzard conditions will impact communities to the north of the storm track.

Severe Thunderstorm Outlook:

Severe thunderstorms will erupt in the warm side of the storm along and ahead of a cold front beginning Friday afternoon.

Damaging wind and large hail are expected to accompany the severe storms. Additionally, the risk for several tornadoes will exist Friday afternoon and evening across portions of Iowa and Missouri.

As the cold front marches eastward, so will the risk for severe storms. The Tennessee Valley will be ground-zero for severe weather on Saturday, while the threat will shift to the Southeast coast on Sunday.

Damaging winds and large hail will be the primary concerns with severe storms this weekend.

Winter Weather Outlook

Snow will break out across the northern and central High Plains on Friday as low pressure develops.

The snow will streak eastward into portions of the Midwest and northern Great Lakes Friday night and over the weekend. A significant accumulation of snow is expected from Nebraska to northern Michigan.

As low pressure strengthens across the Plains, strong winds will develop and create blizzard conditions. Farther east, snow will mix with of freezing rain and sleet across southern Wisconsin and central Michigan.

Ground and air travel will be severely impacted by the expected snow, ice, and wind through this weekend.

By Monday the wintry part of this storm will wind down across the Central US, however, snow showers will linger across the Great Lakes.

There is a significant risk of severe thunderstorms across Argentina and Uruguay on Wednesday. Damaging winds, large hail, and flash flooding are all possible. Additionally, frequent cloud-to-cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning is expected.

The Details:

A cold front will push northward across Argentina on Wednesday and run into a hot and unstable air mass across central South America. Moisture from the Atlantic Ocean will get drawn toward the cold front and help ignite heavy, severe thunderstorms.

The major metropolitan areas of Buenos Aires and Montevideo have the greatest severe risk potential Wednesday afternoon and evening. Damaging winds in excess of 80 kph and large hail of 2-4 cm in diameter are possible.

Another concern with these storms is the potential for flash flooding. Rainfall amounts of 25-75 mm are expected within the thunderstorm threat area over a short period of time, leading to areas of flooding.

The severe weather risk will shift northward through Argentina and Uruguay Wednesday night.

Cooler and drier air will move into Buenos Aires and surrounding areas later Wednesday night and during the day Thursday.