Thunderstorms will put multiple regions in the United States at risk again following the recent forecast of a slow-moving storm system from the Central US, which is currently in an eastward journey towards the East Coast.
The latest storm warning of US weather authorities indicates that severe thunderstorms may affect states along the Gulf Coast, Midwest, Mississippi Valley, and Ohio Valley; putting approximately 56 million Americans at risk of disruptive, life-threatening winds, and potential flooding.
Cities like New Orleans, Louisiana; Mobile, Alabama; Chicago, Illinois; and Indianapolis, Indiana will have the highest risk of being struck by the severe weather compared to other locations in the said regions.
Their surrounding areas can be affected as well.
Based on previous related weather events in the country, heavy rain, large hail, and tornadoes are the most potential weather hazards from severe storms.
US Storm Warning
The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) of the National Weather Service (NWS), which is under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has issued its severe thunderstorm alert for the US from Wednesday to Thursday, May 25 to May 26.
Based on the weather forecast, "isolated strong to severe thunderstorms" are still possible in the central Gulf Coast, lower-mid Mississippi Valley, Midwest, and Ohio Valley.
The SPC underscores damaging wind gusts to be the main threat with the severe weather as the convection spreads into northeastern Mississippi and western Alabama.
The US storm warning came after the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) of the NOAA - NWS on Tuesday, May 24, issued a warning for a massive, slow-moving storm system, forecast to traverse the Central US toward the Eastern US.
The WPC weather alert for the system will be valid until Friday, May 27.
Also Read: NWS Issues Severe Thunderstorm Warnings for Wisconsin, Texas, and Other Regions This Week
Millions Under Threat
The mentioned cities earlier are under the Slight Ris' zone with a current area of approximately 85,000 square miles that can affect 17 million people.
Under this zone, "scattered severe storms are possible" and can be more intense compared to locations within the Marginal Risk zone.
On the other hand, the Marginal Risk zone currently affects an area of approximately 320,000 square miles and 39 million people in cities like Columbus, Ohio; Memphis, Tennessee; Nashville, Tennessee; Atlanta, Georgia; and St. Louise, Missouri.
This level means "isolated severe thunderstorms are possible.
The said risk zones are part of a five-tier scale being issued by the SPC to determine the number and intensity of thunderstorms.
Storms and Tornado Outbreaks
Since the spring season started in March this year, various natural phenomena, including tornado outbreaks, have occurred in multiple areas across the US that will span for the coming weeks and months, causing casualties and widespread property damage.
On March 18, a tornado outbreak rampaged across six states such as Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee, according to The New York Times.
This year's tornadic natural calamity occurred several months after a total of 93 people have been killed when deadly tornadoes ripped through the Central US and the Southern US across five states, including Kentucky, in December 2021, according to ABC News.
Related Article: Severe Thunderstorm Places over 60 Million Americans at Risk in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast