Storms Set to Hit Southern and Central U.S. Tuesday Night

Cold weather is set to hit the central and southern U.S. this week.
Cold weather is set to hit the central and southern U.S. this week.
(Farm Journal)

AccuWeather reports residents from the Ohio Valley to the lower Mississippi Valley should brace for the year's most extensive severe weather outbreak into Tuesday night.

Following tranquil conditions on Monday, the same storm system bringing a heavy, travel-disrupting snowstorm to the Upper Midwest will trigger severe thunderstorms to the south of its track.

The storm's trailing cold front, separating May-like warmth to its east from arctic air to its north and west, will serve as the focal point for the storms.

weather map 4.3.18

"Areas across the Arklatex that faced heavy rain last week will deal with severe weather this week, with flooding being a primary concern," said AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok.

Erupting storms are likely to reach their maximum intensity by the early evening hours.

"Powerful thunderstorms containing damaging winds, hail, flooding downpours and isolated tornadoes will impact areas from northeastern Texas to central Indiana," warned AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Michael Doll.

Cities that are within the threat zone into Tuesday evening include Cincinnati; Louisville, Kentucky; Cape Girardeau, Missouri; and Little Rock.

"Thunderstorms will reach Houston; Shreveport, Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana; Memphis and Nashville; Jackson, Mississippi; and Columbus, Ohio, Tuesday evening before losing their intensity later Tuesday night," Doll said.

The strongest storms may contain wind gusts as high as 80 mph and can bring down trees and power lines. Residents in the path of the storms should be prepared for roof and property damage, as well as power outages. People should move to an interior room or basement if a severe weather warning is issued.

Motorists traveling on interstates 10, 20, 40, 55, 70 and 75 through the central and southern United States can expect to face rapidly changing conditions.

Parts of the Ohio Valley states were bombarded by heavy rain which resulted in flooding earlier on Tuesday. While the area where heavy rain fell earlier in the day may take the edge off the severity of some of the storms, winds can still be locally strong and the potential for another round of flooding downpours will be elevated.

Downpours can briefly reduce visibility to near zero, and dangerous crosswinds can make it difficult to maintain control of a vehicle.

weather map 2 4.3.18

Although the risk for severe weather will be much less on Wednesday than what it was on Tuesday, a gusty line of showers and thunderstorms will still impact areas from the Florida Panhandle northward through the southern and central mid-Atlantic.

"The storms will be moving rapidly eastward in the form of a squall line," Pastelok said. "Wind gusts of 40-50 mph will be possible across a large area."

The storms should move through the Interstate-95 corridor from New York City to Washington, D.C., during the late morning and early afternoon, posing little if any impact to the morning and evening commutes.

Dry conditions should return to much of the eastern half of the country on Thursday, but winter-like air will rush back into these regions as winter refuses to relinquish its grip just yet.

By Alex Sosnowski, Senior Meteorologist for AccuWeather.com

 

Latest News

APHIS Now Thinks Wild Birds Are to Blame for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza's Arrival on Four U.S. Dairies
APHIS Now Thinks Wild Birds Are to Blame for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza's Arrival on Four U.S. Dairies

The livestock industry continues to grapple with the first confirmed cases of HPAI in cattle, while federal and state agencies continue to assure consumers there's no concern about the safety of the U.S. milk supply.

Success is All in the Details at Kansas Dairy Development
Success is All in the Details at Kansas Dairy Development

Kansas Dairy Development provides temporary housing for up to 80,000 head of cattle — from a few days old to springers nearly ready to calve. Their formula for success is all in the details.

Skills Survey Reveals U.S. Agriculture & Food Industry Workforce Needs and Gaps
Skills Survey Reveals U.S. Agriculture & Food Industry Workforce Needs and Gaps

U.S. employers report challenges in finding suitable job candidates with work-ready skills to fill open roles in ag. The AgCareers.com U.S. Skills Survey offers insights, data and trends to address skill development.

Built Out of Love: How Two Sisters Created a Super-Fast-Growing Yogurt Company
Built Out of Love: How Two Sisters Created a Super-Fast-Growing Yogurt Company

Travel to the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, and you’ll meet Hayley and Stephanie Painter who not only made the Forbes 30 under 30 list, but have also created one of the fastest growing yogurt company in the U.S.

"Boring" Technology Will Reshape Dairy Over the Next 10 Years
"Boring" Technology Will Reshape Dairy Over the Next 10 Years

Once a technology becomes a boring experience it means it has become proven, well-adopted, and easy to utilize. There are three "boring" technologies silently shaping the industry.

Influential Dairy Leaders Awarded World Dairy Expo Recognition Awards
Influential Dairy Leaders Awarded World Dairy Expo Recognition Awards

World Dairy Expo is delighted to announce the recipients of the 2024 Expo Recognition Awards. These individuals have made remarkable contributions to the dairy industry and their communities.