Central U.S. Storm Forecast to Bring Potential Severe Thunderstorms, Flash Flooding, and Heavy Snow [NWS]

A Central U.S. storm is forecast to bring potential severe thunderstorms, flash flooding, and heavy snow across the region, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

The multi-weather hazard could occur in the coming hours and days, as well as reach the weekend. The storm could also impact not only the Central U.S. but also its surrounding regions.

In terms of severe weather, isolated tornadoes, large hail, and strong winds are possible. Moreover, floodwaters due to heavy rain are also expected during the said period.

Furthermore, heavy snow could also lead to reduced visibility and widespread disruption on roads due to the thick snowfall accumulation caused by the storm.

Central U.S. Storm

The NWS forecast says scattered severe thunderstorms can generate damaging wind gusts, hail, and flood-triggering heavy rain from areas of the central Mississippi Valley, southwestward into the Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas (Ark-La-Tex) region, and central Texas. Meanwhile, the forecast also indicates an approaching low-pressure system into the Upper Midwest, allowing heavy snow and some icing events.

In its short-range forecast, the NWS' Weather Prediction Center (WPC) on Thursday, April 20, said showers and thunderstorms continue in an eastward pattern along a cold front from the Mississippi Valley. In addition, moderate to localized heavy snow will persist for portions of the Northern Plains or Upper Midwest.

Farther into the West, the WPC said precipitation chances increase for the northern and central Rockies and Pacific Northwest by Friday, April 21. While the rest of the country will experience inclement weather, California and the Southwest region are set for tranquil weather, the weather service adds.

Frontal System

A frontal system moving in an eastward pattern under a deepening upper-level low will continue to cause widespread showers and thunderstorms with the risk of floodwaters and severe weather from parts of the Ohio/Mississippi Valleys by Friday. The East Coast will also share the same weather conditions on Saturday, April 22.

The slow movement of the said a cold front will lead to recurring rounds of storms over areas that experienced rain on Thursday. With this, moderate to heavy localized rainfall will sweep through the Appalachian region and into the East Coast, the U.S. weather agency explains.

U.S. Tornado Alert

The latest U.S. weather forecast comes after three people died when tornadoes struck Oklahoma, putting approximately 40 million Americans at risk of severe weather on Thursday, according to forecasters, USA Today reported.

Tornado alerts, including tornado and storm watches, have been in effect for the second consecutive day for the central U.S., which also recorded several injured people, in addition to the tornado-related deaths, according to the report.

Severe storms and tornadoes are expected at this time of the year. In early April 2022, a large severe thunderstorm event caused damaging storms across Oklahoma, Texas, and southeastern states, according to South Carolina's State Climatology Office.