Severe thunderstorm warnings have been issued as a barrage of hail, tornadoes and lightning is forecast throughout some central and southern U.S. states this weekend.
A 1,000-mile stretch ranging from central Texas to southern Minnesota will experience adverse weather conditions this weekend, according to a map provided by the National Weather Service (NWS). Eight states are likely to be impacted by severe thunderstorms, with some expected to experience lightning, tornados, flash flooding and hail, starting on Friday.
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The eight states are: Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota.
The NWS has issued two severe thunderstorm warnings in Texas. Texans in Kent and Dickens counties can expect golf ball-size hailstones accompanied by 60 mph winds on Friday, with the NWS saying people and outdoor animals are likely to be injured. Damage to homes, roofs and vehicles is also to be expected.
"Prepare immediately for large hail and deadly cloud to ground lightning. Seek shelter inside a well-built structure. Stay away from windows," the NWS warning reads. "Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways."
A separate warning has been issued by the NWS for Foard and Knox counties, where residents can expect penny-size hailstones and wind speeds of up to 60 mph. Residents are urged to "move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building" to wait out the storm, which is expected to end early on Friday morning.
The poor conditions are expected to continue throughout the weekend elsewhere in the country. On Saturday, those in southern Iowa, eastern/central Kansas, southeastern Nebraska, northwestern Missouri, central Oklahoma and north-central Texas are subject to a enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms, according to the latest NWS report. The weather service has also warned of a moderate risk, at least 40 percent, of excessive rainfall over central to northeastern Oklahoma throughout Saturday.
"This will be a multiple-day event in the central U.S.," AccuWeather chief on-air meteorologist Bernie Rayno told Newsweek. He expressed particular concern for residents of Iowa, who have already experienced tornados this month. Rayno said: "The setup for Friday centered on Iowa looks very similar to April 16, when a dozen tornadoes touched down in the state."
"With such a volatile atmospheric setup favoring severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, AccuWeather meteorologists are increasingly concerned that the situation can escalate to a tornado outbreak, which may even include some particularly intense and long-track tornadoes," said AccuWeather chief meteorologist Jon Porter. "The time period of greatest concern is Friday, lasting into Friday night, and then once again on Saturday into Saturday night."
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