A colossal storm system is rapidly developing across the United States, threatening to unleash a barrage of extreme weather events, including tornadoes, flash flooding, blizzard conditions, and wildfires.
AccuWeather meteorologists are warning of a rare high risk of severe thunderstorms and destructive impacts affecting over 100 million people through Sunday.
The most alarming threat comes from the potential for strong, long-track tornadoes, particularly on Friday and Saturday. AccuWeather has issued a high-risk zone for severe thunderstorms in the middle Mississippi Valley on Friday, encompassing much of Missouri and parts of Illinois and Iowa.
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The highest tornado risk is focused on central and northern Arkansas, central and southeastern Missouri, southwestern Illinois, western Kentucky, western Tennessee, and northwestern Mississippi.
“Families and businesses in the region need to prepare for what could be the biggest severe weather outbreak so far this year,” warned AccuWeather Senior Director of Forecasting Operations Dan DePodwin. “Strong tornadoes could strike after dark, which is extremely dangerous, especially during the overnight hours while many people are asleep.”
On Saturday, the high risk of severe thunderstorms shifts eastward, impacting parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and Florida. AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno predicts “as many as two dozen or more tornadoes, as well as hundreds of reports of damaging wind gusts, by the end of this weekend.”
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Gusty thunderstorms with heavy rainfall and damaging winds are expected to sweep across the East Coast on Sunday. AccuWeather warns of potential flash flooding, with several inches of rain possible in a short period from the Tennessee Valley to the Carolinas.
Powerful wind gusts combined with dry conditions are creating an extreme fire risk in the Southwest, southern Rockies, and High Plains. AccuWeather forecasts wind gusts of 30-80 mph, with the highest risk concentrated in parts of New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma.
The storm’s colder side will bring snow, gusty winds, and dangerous blizzard conditions to parts of the Rockies and northern Plains. AccuWeather predicts 6-12 inches of snow, with potential for 16 inches in some areas, impacting travel along I-29 and I-94 corridors.
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Lunar Eclipse Viewing Threatened:
The only total lunar eclipse visible from America this year could be obscured by storms and clouds for millions. Poor viewing conditions are expected across parts of the West Coast, Rocky Mountains, northern Plains, Gulf Coast, mid-Atlantic, and Northeast.
AccuWeather urges residents in affected areas to stay informed, prepare emergency kits, and have multiple ways to receive severe weather warnings.
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