Severe weather is expected to build in the high plains Friday. The Storm Prediction Center has highlighted a Slight Risk area for western Nebraska and northeastern Colorado.
A wave of energy aiding in a soggy pattern for the Pacific northwest will move east across the Rocky Mountains on Friday. At the surface, southeasterly winds will provide a moist atmosphere for storm development. The contrast of the winds at the surface with westerly winds aloft will create “shear, which helps to organize and intensify storms. The easterly component to the surface winds will also allow for upslope flow, where the terrain naturally forces the air to rise, aiding in storm development. Damaging winds and large hail will be the primary threat.
Storms will begin firing during the afternoon, forming a line into the evening and pushing east. Moisture is modest, but pockets of heavy rainfall could create areas of quick, localized flooding.
Several other areas of severe storms are possible into the weekend. Stay with WeatherNation for the latest.