logo
Plains Severe Weather Chances This Week
news image
Special Stories
29 Jul 2020 8:30 AM
An active weather pattern for the rest of this week will bring the threat for severe thunderstorms to the Plains. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has issued outlooks for today (Wednesday) through Friday highlighting a few areas where severe storms are possible. Below we will break down the risk areas for each day:

WEDNESDAY

The most likely locations where atmospheric dynamics will come together to bring in chances for severe thunderstorms today (Wednesday) extends from South Dakota to Oklahoma. There is a slight risk (level 2 on a scale of 1 to 5) that includes western and central Kansas. Large hail and strong wind gusts are the main threats, with isolated tornadoes possible in western Kansas. There are a few dynamic factors to consider with this set-up. With daytime heating and more energy to work with, we look at our CAPE values. CAPE is also known as Convective Available Potential Energy. It is a measure of how much energy there is in the atmosphere. As temperatures heat up throughout the day, the CAPE values increase. Typically, anything over 1000 J/kg of CAPE (the measurement of energy) can be favorable for thunderstorm development. The yellow shades on the image below show us areas that have more energy to help with storm development. Moisture is also needed to fuel storms. Throughout the day, low level moisture begins to increase. This in combination with orographic forcing (in this case, the Black Hill Mountains) should help support more organized thunderstorms in the same area the SPC has highlighted the marginal risk. All of these dynamic factors are important to bring storms. Forecast guidance also shows that thunderstorms will begin during the afternoon and continue through the evening.

THURSDAY

On Thursday, there is a marginal risk for severe thunderstorms from southwestern areas of Missouri to the Red River of the South. Development will be focused along a front over the region with a low pressure center moving slowly eastward. Once again, storms will develop in the late afternoon and continue into the evening.

FRIDAY

As the front pushes slightly to the east and south, the threat for severe weather will extend from the Lower Mississippi Valley into Texas. Strong wind gusts and isolated tornadoes are the main concerns. Keep checking in with WeatherNation for the latest updates on this developing forecast.
All Weather News
Four Corners: Rain, Snow and Avalanche Threat
Four Corners: Rain, Snow and Avalanche Threat
FOUR CORNERS - Snow has been coming down acro
21 Mar 2023 2:30 AM
Next Round of Winter Alerts for the Northern Plains
Next Round of Winter Alerts for the Northern Plains
Winter weather alerts have been issued for no
21 Mar 2023 2:30 AM
California Snowfall: Now the Second Snowiest Winter ever on Record
California Snowfall: Now the Second Snowiest Winter ever on Record
Snowpack statewide is over double the normal,
21 Mar 2023 2:25 AM
Severe Storm Chances Return to the Plains & South Late Week
Severe Storm Chances Return to the Plains & South Late Week
An upper-level low-pressure system from the P
21 Mar 2023 2:15 AM
Northern Rockies and Tetons Snow
Northern Rockies and Tetons Snow
Northwestern U.S.Winter alerts remain in effe
21 Mar 2023 2:15 AM
After a Brutally Cold Weekend in the South, Relief is in Sight this Week
After a Brutally Cold Weekend in the South, Relief is in Sight this Week
What a cold weekend in the Southeast and now,
21 Mar 2023 2:00 AM
Lake Effect Snowfall Wrapping Up
Lake Effect Snowfall Wrapping Up
We're wrapping up the final weekend of winter
19 Mar 2023 6:50 PM