Major severe weather outbreak possible today

A relative lull in the Spring severe weather season is over, as killer tornadoes have once again struck the southern U.S. At least three people were killed and ten injured last night when a tornado swept through Winchester and Anna, Texas, an area about 45 miles northeast of Dallas. The tornado struck at about 10:30 pm local time, and was part of an intense squall line that you can see in this radar animation. Tornadoes have also touched down in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, and Alabama in the past 24 hours, as you can see from our Storm Report Map.


Figure 1. The Storm Prediction Center is forecasting a moderate risk of a major severe weather outbreak today across the lower Misssissippi Valley and central Gulf states, and northward across portions of the Tennessee Valley.

The significant severe weather event is expected to continue today across the lower Misssissippi Valley and central Gulf states, and northward across portions of the Tennessee Valley today. Strong tornadoes of up to F3 intensity, plus thunderstorms with damaging winds and very large hail are possible prior to the passage of a strong cold front today across the region. Flooding is also a concern in Missouri and Arkansas, where drought had been a major concern until recently.

My next blog will be Thursday.
Jeff Masters