Forecasters predicted that much of the United States may experience serious severe weather outbreaks, possibly involving midnight tornadoes.
Severe Weather Outbreak Looms For Central US
According to AccuWeather meteorologist Alyssa Smithmyer, on Friday and Saturday, a powerful storm will move from the Plains into the Ohio Valley, delivering heavy rain and strong to severe thunderstorms.
Most of eastern Texas, Arkansas, northern and central Louisiana, and swaths of the southern United States may get showers on Friday.
Thunderstorms are expected to develop rapidly through Friday night as a cold front moves into the area and a low pressure system strengthens along the front, according to Accuweather.
It is true that severe weather events occur less often in the winter than throughout the rest of the year. Unseasonably warm and humid conditions in the South will make the storms more intense. The possibility of tornadoes, destructive wind gusts, and flooding will all be present in any thunderstorms that form.
It is believed that the majority of the severe weather will occur at night, as it did during a recent record tornado outbreak
. Additionally, due to the fact that Friday night is New Year's Eve, there will be an increased number of motorists out and about late at night.
Also Read: Central U.S. to Experience Threat of Severe Weather with Late-week Storm Worsening the Situation
Areas at Risk For Storms
Knoxville, Tennessee, and Atlanta, Georgia are expected to be hit by disastrous weather Saturday night as the extreme risk continues. Residents should seek refuge in an inner area away from windows if a basement or storm shelter is not available when a tornado warning is issued.
Flooding rains will be a problem in areas free of destructive winds and tornadoes. Storms that might bring flooding to parts of Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Kentucky are also a possibility.
However, the threat for flooding extends beyond that region and into southern Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. As far east as West Virginia, western Virginia, and western North Carolina, heavy rain and possibly floods may be an issue.
According to the United States Drought Monitor, some rain is also expected in Virginia and North Carolina, where a moderate to severe drought is in effect.
Tornado Warnings and Watches Issued Across Six States
On Wednesday night and into Thursday, a series of destructive storms pounded the southern United States.
Tornado warnings and watches were issued in six states as a line of severe weather crossed the South. According to early data from the Storm Prediction Center, there were three tornadoes and over 30 reports of damaging winds.
The roof of a pizza shop in Winfield, Alabama, collapsed during one of the potential tornadoes, trapping eight people inside. Another incident occurred in Winfield, in which a wooden beam crashed through a car's windshield.
One structure and a softball field were reported to have been damaged by an 8:28pm CST radar-confirmed tornado that passed through Rainsville, Alabama.
Colder air will move into the southern Plains and Southeast after the next severe storms, which will bring an end to a protracted period of warm weather and record-breaking temperatures.
Even if warmer air returns by the middle of next week, the current warm spell's temperatures will likely not be as high as they've been.
Related Article: Powerful Storm May Trigger Another Round of Severe Weather in Southeast
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