Line of Severe Storms to Push into Plains and Beyond
Christy Bowen
4 hours agoThe same system that prompted evacuations in the Los Angeles area on Tuesday is going to take its energy across the Rockies and into the central U.S. by the middle of the week. Here is a closer look at what is on tap as this storm pushes to the east, threatening severe weather for millions of Americans.
West Coast Storms to Move into the Nation's Heartland
The chance of daily thunderstorms will push across the Plains states and into the Appalachians throughout the rest of the week. The primary threat associated with this weather maker is damaging winds capable of triggering power outages. While most people associate this type of weather event with the spring season, it is also possible at this time of the year when a strengthening jet stream pairs with temperature contrasts.
Wednesday's forecast is calling for storms to fire along the Interstate 25 corridor in New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, southeastern Montana, and the western edge of the Dakotas. This will put cities such as Denver, Colorado Springs, and Albuquerque under the gun for storm development. Potential impacts of Wednesday's stormy conditions include wind gusts of up to 70 mph and hail the size of golf balls.
The chance of storms will intensify in the evening and overnight hours on the northern edge of this zone. For example, Rapid City, South Dakota, will see the threat of thunderstorms generating small hail and gusty winds after the sun goes down. There will not be a large temperature differentiation in Rapid City with a forecast high of about 52 degrees and lows in the upper 40s.
The risk of severe storms will track farther to the east on Thursday, encompassing a large swath of the Plains states. The zone of impact is expected to set up across the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles and to the north into central portions of South Dakota. Once again, winds of up to 70 mph and large hail will be the most worrisome impacts.
The core of energy associated with this system will push to the north and into Canada on Friday, limiting the amount of widespread storm activity across the Plains and the Mississippi Valley. However, residents in this area cannot rule out a sporadic storm packing wind gusts, hail, and brief periods of torrential rain. The greatest concentration of storms on Friday will set up from Wichita Falls, Texas, and to the northeast into Des Moines, Iowa.