Severe storms unleashed up to 2-inch hail across Missouri on Tuesday, wreaking havoc and causing widespread damage. However, the threat of further destruction is far from over. A high-impact storm is projected to sweep across the country from Wednesday to Friday, intensifying the risk of severe weather conditions.
Kansas City, Missouri is facing an elevated risk of severe weather on Wednesday and Thursday. The central region of the United States is particularly vulnerable to storms that may bring about tornadoes, destructive wind gusts, and sizable hail.
Severe storms began on Tuesday near Kansas City, Missouri, bringing with them hail the size of ping-pong and golf balls. Once again, Kansas City finds itself in the heart of the danger zone for Wednesday’s potential storms.
Large hailstones, the size of eggs, pounded Wellington, Missouri, on Tuesday.
According to FOX Weather, (please insert your re-written paragraph here).
The FOX Forecast Center predicts that storm coverage and the potential for severe weather will increase due to higher levels of moisture, atmospheric energy, and wind shear compared to Tuesday.
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Over 16 million individuals reside in the two regions that are at risk for severe weather.
The initial location of the severe weather will be along a warm front that stretches across Missouri and Kansas. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) of NOAA has designated this area as a Level 3 out of 5 risk for severe weather, as indicated by the dark red shading on the map.
Storms are forecasted to form in northeastern Kansas after 5 p.m. local time. They will then spread into Nebraska, Missouri, and Iowa throughout the evening.
Watch vs. Warning: Understanding the Distinctions Between these Weather Terms that Could Potentially Save Your Life
When storms move north of the warm front, the main concern is the potential for large to very large hail, measuring greater than 2 inches. On the other hand, if the storms stay along and south of the warm front, they can access the warm and humid air, which may result in wind gusts exceeding 60 mph and the formation of a few tornadoes.
According to FOX Weather Meteorologist Britta Merwin, while there is a possibility of a tornado, it is more likely that people will experience large hail. However, this does not mean that the situation should be taken lightly. If I were residing in Kansas City, I would definitely park my car under the carport or garage to protect it.
7 Important Facts About Hail
Hail is a fascinating weather phenomenon that can have significant impacts on our lives. Here are seven important things to know about hail:
1. Formation: Hail forms when there are strong updrafts in thunderstorms that carry raindrops upward into extremely cold areas of the atmosphere. These raindrops freeze into ice pellets, which then accumulate more layers of ice as they are lifted and fall back down to the warmer parts of the storm.
2. Size: Hailstones can vary in size, ranging from small pellets to large balls. The size of hailstones is determined by the strength of the updrafts and the amount of time the hailstone spends in the storm. The largest hailstone ever recorded in the United States was a whopping 8 inches in diameter!
3. Damage: Hail can cause significant damage to property, vehicles, and crops. Large hailstones can dent cars, break windows, and even cause structural damage to buildings. In agriculture, hail can destroy crops and harm livestock.
4. Frequency: Hailstorms are most common in the central parts of the United States, known as “Hail Alley.” This region, which includes states like Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, experiences the highest frequency of severe hailstorms in the country.
5. Hail Safety: It is important to take precautions during hailstorms to protect yourself from potential harm. Seek shelter indoors and stay away from windows, skylights, and glass doors. If you are caught outside, find a sturdy shelter or use a thick blanket, coat, or cushion to shield yourself from the hail.
6. Hail Damage Insurance: Many insurance policies cover hail damage to property and vehicles. It is crucial to review your insurance coverage and ensure you are adequately protected in the event of a hailstorm.
7. Hail Research: Scientists study hail to better understand its formation and develop more accurate forecasting methods. This research helps in providing timely warnings and improving our understanding of severe weather events.
By knowing these important facts about hail, you can better prepare yourself and take appropriate measures to stay safe during hailstorms. Stay informed, stay safe!
According to the FOX Forecast Center, the possibility of severe weather remains uncertain for regions in the southern part, encompassing southeastern Kansas to extreme North Texas. The atmospheric conditions have the potential to generate storms that pose various risks, including tornadoes, hail, and strong winds. However, the presence of a cap, also known as a “lid” in the atmosphere, might prevent the formation of storms in that particular area.
What does the term ‘cap’ refer to in weather? How does this atmospheric barrier impact severe storms?
Severe weather threat expands Thursday
Thursday’s main day of severe weather will once again be concentrated on two distinct areas.
A severe weather system is forecasted to cover two distinct regions. The first region will stretch from southern Iowa and northern Missouri to central Illinois. The second region will be located further south, spanning from eastern Oklahoma and East Texas to Louisiana and Arkansas.
Merwin expressed concern about the upcoming weather conditions in Kansas City. He highlighted that the extended forecast indicates a challenging period ahead. Merwin emphasized that the Storm Prediction Center’s decision to issue a Level 3 out of 5 alert for Thursday ahead of time signifies the severity of the situation.
If you find yourself driving during a tornado, it’s important to know what steps to take to ensure your safety. Here are some guidelines to follow if you encounter a tornado while on the road:
1. Stay Calm: It’s crucial to remain calm and focused during this situation. Panicking can impair your ability to make rational decisions.
2. Seek Shelter: If possible, find a sturdy building to take cover in. Look for designated tornado shelters or basements. If you can’t find a building, try to find a low-lying area and lie flat, covering your head and neck with your hands.
3. Avoid Overpasses: Contrary to popular belief, seeking shelter under an overpass is not safe during a tornado. Overpasses can actually create a wind tunnel effect, making the winds even stronger. It’s best to avoid them altogether.
4. Stay In Your Vehicle: If you can’t find shelter, it’s safer to stay in your vehicle than to be exposed to the elements outside. Keep your seatbelt on and ensure that your vehicle’s windows are closed.
5. Drive Away from the Tornado: If you have enough distance and time, try to drive away from the tornado. Keep in mind that tornadoes can change direction quickly, so be cautious and stay alert.
6. Don’t Hide Underneath Bridges: Similar to overpasses, hiding underneath bridges is not a safe option. The winds can be even stronger under bridges, putting you at a higher risk.
7. Monitor Weather Reports: Before getting on the road, check the weather conditions and listen to local weather reports. This will help you stay informed about any potential severe weather warnings in your area.
Remember, your safety should always be your top priority. If you can, it’s best to avoid driving during severe weather conditions like tornadoes. However, if you find yourself in this situation, following these guidelines can help you stay as safe as possible.
Expect a setup resembling Wednesday’s conditions, with a high-pressure system near the surface and a warm front. This combination is likely to give rise to a line of strong thunderstorms known as supercells, stretching across northern Missouri, Illinois, and southeastern Iowa.
If you reside in the warm air south of the front, there is a possibility of experiencing storms that can generate tornadoes, powerful gusts of wind, and hail exceeding 2 inches in size. Conversely, storms moving north of the front are more likely to produce hail.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, storms are expected to intensify to the south as they move ahead of a dryline across Oklahoma and northeastern Texas. This is anticipated to occur early in the afternoon.
The forecast predicts that temperatures will hover around 80 degrees, accompanied by dew points in the 60s. These conditions will provide an abundance of atmospheric energy, which, when combined with moderate wind shear, will create supercells capable of generating various severe weather hazards.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, there is still some uncertainty regarding the development of the initial supercells throughout the evening. However, if these supercells merge and form a squall line, there is an increased risk of experiencing destructive straight-line winds before the storms weaken overnight.
Friday and beyond
Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to remain a threat until Friday across East Texas and the Southeast, as the main front becomes trapped along the South.
A stretch of rainy days is expected for areas that are already saturated with water, including Jackson, Mississippi. The city is currently on track to have its fourth-wettest start to the year, and heavy rainfall is once again in the forecast.
The Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama regions are expected to experience several days of intense rainfall, resulting in a significant accumulation of over 3 inches. There is even a possibility of even higher precipitation levels in these areas.
