Severe Storms Shift from Plains to the East as Weekend Progresses

Damaging winds, hail, frequent lightning strikes, and heavy rain are all on the docket in the days ahead as several rounds of storms roar from the Plains to the East Coast. Read on for the latest update on when and where the next chances of severe weather will pop up.

Storms Remain Anchored Over the Northern and Central Plains to End the Work Week

The stormy conditions that have been impacting the Plains in recent days will start to migrate toward the east through the weekend, bringing along the threat of severe impacts to millions of Americans. Agricultural interests will want to keep an eye on the storm development, as the wind speeds and hail could be capable of triggering widespread crop damage. The heavy rain associated with this potent weather maker could also lead to localized urban flash flooding. Lastly, motorists may encounter delays on the roads as the storms roll through.

The highest volume of storms will remain anchored over the northern Plains through Thursday. The potential impact zone stretches from southeastern Montana to the east into Wyoming, northeastern Colorado, southern North Dakota, and the central and southwestern portions of Minnesota.

Minneapolis and Pierre, South Dakota, are the two largest urban areas at risk of seeing storms heading into the early morning hours on Friday. Some of the storms may creep as far south as Kansas and Iowa at times.

Friday's storm action is forecast to set up in a zone from central and northern Kansas and up into southern Minnesota and the southwestern corner of Wisconsin. Forecasters are warning that a few tornadoes could spin up out of the strongest storm cells.

Several major metro areas could get caught in the crosshairs of severe weather beginning Friday afternoon and lasting through the overnight hours. For example, Omaha will see a continuation of Thursday's unsettled weather. The best chance to get outside in the largest city in Nebraska will be early in the day. More rain is on tap for the overnight hours and heading into Saturday. Temperatures will be on the upswing in Nebraska as heat builds. Omaha will climb from the mid 70s on Thursday into the upper 80s for highs on Friday.

It is shaping up to be a calm start to the day in Des Moines. However, that could all change in the evening hours as scattered storms develop. Some of these storm cells could pack severe impacts. The Friday forecast for the city in central Iowa is calling for highs in the mid 80s and lows that bottom out in the upper 60s.

To the north, Madison, Wisconsin, will see the greatest chance of storms early in the day. The college town and capital city will wake up to scattered thunderstorms with partial clearing on tap for the latter part of the day. Another round of rain and storms is in the forecast for the evening and overnight hours. Highs will top out in the low 80s before sliding into the mid 60s after the sun goes down.