Saturday Sparks Severe Storms

news image
Special Stories
18 Apr 2020 12:00 PM
Strong to locally severe thunderstorms have affected multiple regions of the southeastern United States so far today. For the list of storm reports and highest wind gusts, scroll down toward the bottom of this article.

Severe Outlook Today

A marginal risk of severe thunderstorms continues for much of the northern Gulf Coast region through Saturday night. This includes Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. A marginal risk means isolated severe thunderstorms will occur, here and there, but not everywhere. In addition, the activity will produce hail up to 1" in diameter and wind gusts up to 60 mph. Cloud-to-ground lightning will be likely within each storm as well as heavy rain rates (rainfall per hour).

Near-Term Weather Forecast

The timing of these potential severe thunderstorms will be right now, lasting through the night and into Sunday morning. In the image below you'll see simulated rainfall and embedded thunderstorms. The ones to watch closely will be those clusters in Texas and Louisiana as they move to the northeast. The wave of energy in the atmosphere will then quickly approach from the west on Saturday afternoon. Those showers and storms could very well hang on and continue Saturday night to Sunday daybreak, across parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. That leads us in to Sunday where we have a greater, more widespread chance of severe weather. We've written extensively about that below. Related Article: Severe Weather Forecast For Sunday

Storm Reports So Far Today

  • Roof blown off barn in Snowden, North Carolina
  • Trees fell onto power lines in Elizabeth City, NC
  • Tree damage in Old Trap, NC
  • 63 mph wind gust at the Hatteras Ferry Terminal in North Carolina
  • Top Florida wind gusts: 44 mph at Macdill AFB and Gulfport, 42 mph Belleair & 40 mph Tampa
Continue to obtain critical information from your local National Weather Service as well as your city, county, and state government officials regarding the thunderstorm forecast. We will update you on our platforms as well.
All Weather News
More
Severe Storms Target the Front Range & Great Plains

Severe Storms Target the Front Range & Great Plains

Severe storms will continue to fire up off th

7 Jul 2025 12:25 AM
Catastrophic Flooding in the Texas Hill Country

Catastrophic Flooding in the Texas Hill Country

Multiple Flash Flood Emergencies were issued

6 Jul 2025 9:15 PM
Severe Storms in the Midwest Continue To Spoil the Holiday Weekend

Severe Storms in the Midwest Continue To Spoil the Holiday Weekend

NORTHERN PLAINS - A frontal system continues

6 Jul 2025 8:00 PM
Eastern Pacific Remains Active

Eastern Pacific Remains Active

Following the prolific start to the season, t

6 Jul 2025 6:15 PM
Chantal Weakens After Making Landfall Sunday Morning

Chantal Weakens After Making Landfall Sunday Morning

Tropical Storm Chantal formed earlier Saturda

6 Jul 2025 6:00 PM
Hot Weather Brings a Shot at Storms Out East

Hot Weather Brings a Shot at Storms Out East

Guess who's back. The heat and humidity will

6 Jul 2025 10:20 AM
Near Seasonal Temperatures for Many Come July 4th!

Near Seasonal Temperatures for Many Come July 4th!

AAA is expecting over 70 million travelers to

4 Jul 2025 10:15 AM