Category: Posts EN

 

Scattered severe storms have erupted from Texas through the Mississippi Valley to the Ohio Valley today. Currently the storms have consolidated to form a long squall line moving steadily east. High winds will be the most widespread threat going forward, although isolated tornadoes or large hail may still occur.

 

 

Numerous reports of very large hail and high winds (green and blue dots above, respectively) have been received since severe storms developed around midday. Hail stones to three inches (7.5 cm) in diameter were observed near Poplar Grove, Missouri. Gusts upwards of 70 mph (113 kph) have occurred in several places. There have also been several reports of tornadoes (red dots above), including one near Galatia, Illinois that completely destroyed several homes and farm buildings. More reports are likely as the squall line moves east overnight.

A strong low pressure system will move across the center of the US on Tuesday igniting scattered severe thunderstorms from Texas to Ohio.

The risk for severe thunderstorms will begin along a cold front during the midday hours across northeast Texas, southeast Oklahoma, and up into central Missouri. As the cold front tracks eastward, it will move into an air mass that is increasingly favorable for the develop of gusty to severe thunderstorms.

Damaging winds and hail are the primary concerns with the strongest storms, however, frequent lightning and localized flash flooding can accompany almost any storm that develops.

Cities at risk for severe weather during the day Tuesday include: Dallas, Texas; Saint Louis, Missouri; and Indianapolis, Indiana.

The severe weather threat will shift eastward Tuesday evening to include cities such as Columbus, Ohio; Nashville, Tennessee; and Houston, Texas.

By later Tuesday night, most storms will have diminished below severe criteria.

The calendar says April, but some communities across the northern Mid-Atlantic will wake up to snow Monday morning. No April fools joke!

The Details

A cold front crossed the area on Sunday bringing a fresh supply of chilly air from Canada. Meanwhile, a fast moving disturbance will move across Virginia and off the East Coast Monday morning.

A heavy, wet snow is expected to fall to the north of the track of the storm. The heaviest accumulations are expected from Pennsylvania eastward to central New Jersey and southeast New York state.

This includes cities such as Pittsburgh, State College, and New York Sunday night into early Monday.

Most of the accumulations will occur on grassy and non-paved surfaces, however, if the snow comes down hard enough some roadways will become slushy and snow covered.

The snow is expected to affect the Monday morning commute from Philadelphia up to New York and into southern New England. The snow will be long gone by the Monday afternoon and evening commute.

For New York City, measurable April snow can happen, but they are not a common occurrence. Check out this list of the top 7 April snowstorms for New York dating back to 1868.