Severe Weather Forecast: Transition from Clear Skies to Stormy…

A strong storm system is set to impact the central and eastern USA starting Friday, differing from last week’s cold sector blizzard. Today’s weather is clear and warm with a high of 80°F, while Friday will bring severe weather risks, high winds, and possible tornadoes. Minimal rainfall but significant snowfall is expected over the weekend in certain areas.

Key Weather Highlights
Today features extraordinary weather conditions before a powerful storm system affects the central and eastern United States starting Friday. This system, which tracks northward, places us in a warm sector, heightening the potential for severe weather, compared to last week’s blizzard-inducing storm that affected us from the cold sector.

Today’s Forecast
Expect temperatures nearing 80°F with clear skies and 100% sunshine. A light wind will accompany the pleasant weather, perfect for viewing tonight’s total lunar eclipse. As night falls, wind speeds will increase from the southeast at 15-25 mph, with lows between 55°F and 60°F.

Friday Weather Alerts
Friday will see active weather, signaled by High Wind and Fire Weather Watches across the region. Particularly, KC is in a High Wind Watch, with warnings stretching from Chicago to most Plains areas, predicting gusts of 40-60 mph, even without thunderstorms.

Fire Weather Watch Details
A Fire Weather Watch is also in effect, with warnings across the Plains. The dry winter brush, not replenished by seasonal rains, could allow fires to ignite and spread quickly. With high wind speeds, conditions are precarious for wildfire incidents.

Severe Weather Outlook for Friday
The northeast area holds a severe weather risk level of 2-3 out of 5. In contrast, the eastern part of Missouri reaches level 4 out of 5 risk. The southwest part of the viewing area shows a minimal risk at 0 out of 5. The tornado threat peaks in higher risk zones of 3-4 out of 5.

Friday Morning Update
As Friday begins, a strong storm system will approach the Plains, with a surface low pressure estimated at 28.91″—equivalent to a low-end category 2 hurricane. Wind gusts will reach 50-60 mph, although precipitation will remain low until the Rockies.

Afternoon Forecast (3 PM)
Thunderstorms are expected to develop near the state line by 3 PM, increasing in severity over the next hour as they progress northeast at 60 mph. Significant wind gusts from the S-SW at 20-30 mph with gusts up to 40-60 mph will be prevalent, with high temperatures averaging 75°F.

Late Afternoon Update (5 PM)
By 5 PM, thunderstorms are likely to escalate into severe conditions as they push out of the viewing area, with the potential for damaging winds and tornado activity, especially in the highest risk zones.

Evening Outlook (10 PM)
The storm front will reach Milwaukee and Chicago by 10 PM, where it is expected to remain partly cloudy and windy with temperatures dropping to the 40s. Wind gusts will still be significant, ranging from 30-50 mph.

Saturday Weather Scenario
On Saturday, wind conditions will gradually decrease under cloudy skies with highs in the low 50s. A blizzard is anticipated in eastern Dakotas and Minnesota, moving northwards into Canada. A new severe thunderstorm system will emerge from the southeastern USA through the eastern Midwest.

Severe Risk on Saturday
A level 3-4 out of 5 severe risk continues across the southeastern USA and the Tennessee Valley on Saturday.

Rainfall and Snow Forecast (Friday – Sunday)
Minimal rainfall of trace amounts to .25″ is expected, mostly occurring east of the Mississippi River and north of Omaha. For snowfall, an estimated 3-6″ is likely from Sioux City, IA, and regions northward.

In summary, these weather developments signify a dramatic transition over a brief period. Stay prepared and safe this weekend!

The weather this week showcases a stark contrast, shifting from sunny conditions today to potentially severe weather and high winds on Friday. The forthcoming storm system could lead to power outages and increased fire risks, while temperatures fluctuate across the region. Monitoring the severe weather outlook will be crucial, as significant thunderstorms and possible tornadoes are expected. Adequate preparedness is key to navigating these changes safely.

Original Source: www.kshb.com