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
More Record Highs Obliterated in Historic Heat Wave

More Record Highs Obliterated in Historic Heat Wave

ABOVE - The month of March has been setting r

28 Mar 2026 11:15 AM
PEAK BLOOM - Cherry Blossoms Emerge at the National Mall

PEAK BLOOM - Cherry Blossoms Emerge at the National Mall

Top Image Credit: National Parks ServiceSprin

28 Mar 2026 10:00 AM
Large Hail Hits the Midwest, Strong Storms Return Next Week

Large Hail Hits the Midwest, Strong Storms Return Next Week

A strong cold front raced across the Midwest

28 Mar 2026 9:05 AM
Passing Fronts Increase Fire Danger

Passing Fronts Increase Fire Danger

It's been unbearably hot across the West for

28 Mar 2026 2:20 AM
Southwest Pattern Change Ahead

Southwest Pattern Change Ahead

While much of the country, and in particular

28 Mar 2026 2:10 AM
Pineapple Express Delivers Another Round of Rain

Pineapple Express Delivers Another Round of Rain

Heavy rainfall from moisture that inundated t

24 Mar 2026 9:45 AM
Powerful Kona Low Devastates Hawaii Over the Weekend

Powerful Kona Low Devastates Hawaii Over the Weekend

After record shattering rain and hurricane fo

23 Mar 2026 4:30 PM