Tornadoes, hail, torrential rain threaten central US states as potent storms form
A clash between a cold front and warm, moist air in the central U.S. is expected to produce powerful thunderstorms capable of spinning up tornadoes throughout the region on Wednesday, meteorologists say.
Along with possible twisters, the storms are forecast to produce large hail, flooding rain and wind gusts strong enough to uproot trees and snap power lines. Forecasters expect weather conditions to deteriorate Wednesday and continue overnight into Thursday as the storms expand in size.
The worst conditions are most likely to impact the central Plains region, including southeastern Nebraska, northwestern Missouri, central and eastern Kansas, and parts of northeastern Oklahoma, according to the National Weather Service. The weather service said the storms are bringing an increased threat of EF2 to EF5 tornadoes, which can pack winds as low as 111 mph to as high as 200 mph.
Forecasters say the storms will form as a cold front pushing in from the west collides with warm, moist air moving north off the Gulf of Mexico. Meteorologists are warning millions of residents across the central U.S. to charge their phones and monitor their devices for emergency alerts.
"With any severe threat that occurs during the overnight hours, the risk to life and property is increased due to the reduction in visibility after dark, especially with tornadoes," said Grady Gilman, a meteorologists with AccuWeather.
Parts of every state in the Plains and Midwest regions are suffering drought conditions, with some swaths of land afflicted with severe and extreme drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Through Wednesday and Thursday, forecasters expect rain to scuttle Halloween festivities in parts of the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes region, including major cities such as Detroit and Cleveland, AccuWeather reported. Thunderstorms may also hamper holiday plans in the South, especially a swath of the region from Houston to Little Rock, Arkansas, and Memphis, Tennessee.
Winter weather advisory issued for parts of Mountain West
Moderate to heavy snow is expected across higher elevations in Utah, Wyoming and Colorado on Wednesday thanks to a potent storm, according to the weather service.
Several winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories that were placed earlier this week remain in effect across the region. Those in the mountain ranges may see up to a foot of snow as colder air combines with high moisture. Conditions may make traveling difficult, especially in the dark.
"Be prepared for winter driving conditions and slower travel should you need to venture out into the high country," the weather service said. "In the wake of the storm, much colder air will lead to frost and freeze concerns for the lower elevations."
National weather watches and warnings
National weather radar
(This story was updated to add new information.)