Big Storms, Flooding Rain Pepper Central, Eastern U.S. Today

There will be no shortage of dangerous weather to wrap up the workweek, particularly from the central and southern Plains to the Tennessee Valley and southern New England.

Tornado Watches are in effect for east-central and southeastern Colorado, southern Illinois, western to central Kentucky, southeastern Missouri, and northwestern to central Tennessee. Pueblo and Colorado Springs, Colo., Paducah, Ky., and Dyersburg, Tenn, are included. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect across eastern Kentucky, including London.

Thunderstorms stretching from Arkansas to eastern Oklahoma will continue to weaken or dissipate as they rumble farther east through mid-afternoon. However, this activity will intensify again after entering southern Illinois and western Kentucky and Tennessee before moving farther east across each state throughout the afternoon and evening.

Farther west, potent thunderstorms will organize along the Colorado Rocky Front Range and far southeastern New Mexico and West Texas  this afternoon before merging into one or more clusters during the overnight and predawn on Saturday across Kansas, Oklahoma, and west-central parts of the Lone Star State.

The biggest thunderstorm risks include hail larger than golf ball size and damaging gusts up to 70 mph. A few tornadoes will be possible in the most intense thunderstorms as well.

The government’s Storm Prediction Center has maintained an Enhanced Risk for severe thunderstorms from southeastern Colorado to far southwestern Kansas, a small part of the Oklahoma panhandle, and east-central New Mexico to near the Texas panhandle. Lubbock and Plainview, Texas, Clovis, N.M., and Liberal and Garden City, Kan., are included.

Denver, Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Okla., Wichita, Kan., Springfield, Mo., Chattanooga and Nashville, Tenn., Little Rock, Ark., and Louisville, Ky., could experience a storm encounter this afternoon into tonight also.

Meanwhile, a few strong thunderstorms may pepper parts of the eastern Great Lakes into New England ahead of a cold front. Columbus, Ohio, Pittsburgh, Albany, N.Y., Hartford, Conn., Providence, R.I., Boston, Manchester and Concord, N.H., and Portland, Maine, will need to keep a watchful eye to the sky beginning during mid-afternoon.

Thunderstorms will be notable beyond the inherent severe weather hazards. Locally very heavy rainfall, often in a short time, could lead to flash and urban flooding particularly in low-lying or urban locations. One to 3 inches will be common, with locally higher totals up to 5 inches possible. Already, Flood Watches are in effect from southwestern Kansas and the northern third of Oklahoma to southwestern Missouri in addition to new the New York State-Pennsylvania border to southern New England. If you approach a roadway covered in water, remember a simple motto – “Turn Around, Don’t Drown!”
 
Make sure to know the difference between a watch and a warning should they become issued. A “watch” means that conditions are favorable for severe weather to occur and to be on alert for any rapidly changing conditions. A “warning” means that severe weather is imminent, and you should act fast to remain safe.

The best way to remain safe is to stay prepared and informed about your local weather. Have a severe weather kit packed with a battery-operated radio, water, and non-perishable food items should you be without power for long periods of time. Also, check the WeatherBug app frequently for any updates on today's severe weather. Remember, "When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!"