Central and Southern Plains Set for Severe Weather Friday

news image
Special Stories
17 May 2019 10:27 AM
The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) is expecting active weather into the weekend with the risk for severe thunderstorms returning to the Plains and portions of the Mid-Atlantic. Severe thunderstorms will remain likely in the middle of the nation into early next week. Friday looks to be an active day for thunderstorms, as widespread severe weather is likely. We will see the potential for tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds, as multiple strong upper level waves in a very fast flow aloft will move through the Plains. The setup is this - stronger upper level winds will begin to spread across the Plains as a low pressure center begins to develop. The SPC has issued an enhanced risk for severe weather in Texas and Nebraska. Humidity will be increasing ahead of a dryline in the central to southern Plains northward to a warm front in the Upper Midwest. Thunderstorms will develop in the late afternoon and continue through the night, with some supercells likely. All modes of severe weather are possible: tornadoes, large hail, and damaging wind gusts. [Related Articles: What does an SPC enhanced risk mean?] In the southern enhanced region, more shear is present in the atmosphere. Turning of the winds with height adds rotation in the atmosphere. Large hail will be the primary threat for cities like Lubbock. Timing for this event could be into the overnight hours. In the Nebraska Enhanced Risk, an area of low pressure will track east. Moisture and instability will be plentiful, even that far north. If you are in the risk areas, stay storm aware with the latest information from WeatherNation on-air and online. We will have live reports from in the field, along with updated forecasts and current watches and warnings. For WeatherNation: Meteorologist Mace Michaels
All Weather News
More
Gulf-Effect Snow Possible This Weekend

Gulf-Effect Snow Possible This Weekend

You've been warned, iguanas. We've had glanci

28 Jan 2026 5:36 PM
Nearly Half a Million Without Power From Winter Storm

Nearly Half a Million Without Power From Winter Storm

ABOVE - Up to one inch of ice accumulated acr

28 Jan 2026 3:40 PM
Cold Air Sticks Around the Central to Eastern U.S.

Cold Air Sticks Around the Central to Eastern U.S.

Temperatures have been record-breaking with h

28 Jan 2026 3:35 PM
Another Weekend Snow on the East Coast?

Another Weekend Snow on the East Coast?

Copy and paste has been used a lot by forecas

28 Jan 2026 3:35 PM
Lake-Effect Snow Sticks Around the Great Lakes

Lake-Effect Snow Sticks Around the Great Lakes

WOOF! The Northeast got rocked over the weeke

28 Jan 2026 3:25 PM
Rain Finally Makes a Return to the Northwest

Rain Finally Makes a Return to the Northwest

We're making a run at two straight weeks with

28 Jan 2026 2:20 PM
Severe Thunderstorms Possible Across the South on Sunday

Severe Thunderstorms Possible Across the South on Sunday

While much of the country will be impacted by

25 Jan 2026 10:40 PM