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
Record-Breaking Warmth for the Upcoming Week

Record-Breaking Warmth for the Upcoming Week

While there was a temporary break in record-

4 Jan 2026 3:26 AM
Lake-Effect Snow Continues to Impact Millions Across the Great Lakes

Lake-Effect Snow Continues to Impact Millions Across the Great Lakes

Persistent lake-effect snow and a series of f

4 Jan 2026 3:15 AM
Flooding, Severe Storms, and Snow Take Aim at California

Flooding, Severe Storms, and Snow Take Aim at California

A pair of intense storm systems will continue

4 Jan 2026 3:10 AM
Severe Storms Target the Southeast on Saturday

Severe Storms Target the Southeast on Saturday

After colder air settles into the Southeast e

4 Jan 2026 3:00 AM
Top Weather Events of 2025

Top Weather Events of 2025

As 2025 wrapped up, we took a look back at th

4 Jan 2026 2:00 AM
Chilly Air Across the Northern States

Chilly Air Across the Northern States

Northern U.S.In the North-Central U.S., an Al

3 Jan 2026 2:00 AM
Weather for the Ball Drop: What to Expect as 2026 Begins

Weather for the Ball Drop: What to Expect as 2026 Begins

As we say goodbye to 2025 and ring in 2026, m

1 Jan 2026 9:00 PM