Upper Midwest and Plains Severe Weather Risk

A storm system sliding through the Upper Midwest and Central Plains will bring the risk for severe weather this afternoon and evening. A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until 8 p.m. Central Time this evening. A marginal risk for severe storms extends from the Western Great Lakes to the Central Plains. A slight risk includes the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, most of Wisconsin and Southeast Minnesota. A second areas mapped out by the Storm Prediction Center highlights areas from Northwest Arkansas to the Kansas-Nebraska border.   Strong wind gusts and large hail are the biggest concerns for today (Wednesday). The risk for tornadoes is low in the Central Plains. A cold front will drop slowly southward throughout the day. It will be the focus for thunderstorm development. Two lows - one near the Canadian Border and the other in Kansas - will enhance storm strength and help to produce severe storms. Check back with WeatherNation throughout the day for the latest updates on-air and online if you are in the severe weather risk areas. Want to understand more about the Storm Prediction Center risk categories? Watch to learn more about what a marginal, slight, enhanced, moderate, and high risk means when the SPC issues these threats around the country. https://youtu.be/_lunoaofhN0   For WeatherNation: Meteorologist Mace Michaels