US Thunderstorm Forecast: Southeast at Risk of Strong Winds and Hail This Weekend [NWS]

Thunderstorms have been forecasted by the National Weather Service (NWS) to occur across the Southeast United States on Friday, April 19. The stormy weather event can also possibly continue until the weekend, bringing the risk of strong winds and hail this weekend. These weather hazards are expected to bring potential disruption to regional travel and cause life-threatening risks.

The weather forecast comes as severe weather events have persisted in different regions across the country earlier this week. However, the main threat in the Southeast US is the possible emergence of a tornado outbreak, which pertains to the spawning of multiple tornadoes in a short period of time. In recent days, twisters wreaked havoc across the Midwest, causing damage in four states.

US Thunderstorm Forecast

In its US thunderstorm forecast at 3:34 a.m. EDT (local time) on Friday, the NWS' Weather Prediction Center (WPC) is forecasting scattered showers and thunderstorms in the Southeast, as well as in the central/southern Appalachians region. The short-term weather outlook means the occurrence of moderate to heavy rain, with potential flooding, is possible in the affected US regions starting Friday.

However, the WPC notes that the main weather feature through the weekend will be a cold front progressing into the East Coast, where it will stall between southern Texas and the Southeast. This unsettled weather may cause isolated thunderstorms that can be strong enough to produce damaging wind gusts and hail, the prediction center says.

The adverse weather comes as a "dangerous storm system" is moving from the Midwest and into the Eastern US, threatening millions. The system is responsible for a recent tornado outbreak that ripped through the Plains and Midwest, with more than 20 tornadoes reported. Last week, a similar event occurred in the US Gulf Coast that left a trail of destruction from Texas to Florida.

Also Read: Severe Thunderstorm Forecasts: Hail, Potential Isolated Tornadoes Threaten Mississippi Valley, Central Plains

Tornado Outbreak

While damaging winds and large hail are also significant threats amid the severe thunderstorm, tornadoes remain the main hazard in this type of weather event. This is because twisters can form and develop with little or without warning, depending on the intensity of meteorological elements like moisture, temperature, wind speed, and wind direction.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the said term "tornado outbreak" first appeared in meteorological literature during the 1950s and was used to emphasize severe weather events with multiple tornadoes. Since then, the term has been used both by meteorologists during weather forecasts across the US.

Fire Weather in Colorado

Aside from the thunderstorm forecast, the NWS has also mentioned the threat of elevated to critical fire weather in Colorado, where it will persist across the southern or central parts of the state on Friday due to dry conditions and gusty winds. Moreover, fire weather conditions can help the growth and spread of wildfires in the affected areas.

Earlier this week, the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control announced an average fire potential for April to July this year.