Tornado Warning: Dangerous Storms Expected In Central US

Thunderstorms with damaging winds and large hail are expected Tuesday from the Texas Panhandle to central Kansas, with tornadoes a possibility, according to the National Weather Service. Storms may contain heavy rain and local flooding. Heavy rain is also possible in the northern Plains and Upper Great Lakes, and in the West, snow will create hazardous traveling conditions over mountain passes, the weather service says.

AccuWeather has also put out a warning that tornadoes are possible. "Severe storms will first develop during the afternoon along the boundary separating cool air to the north and warm air to the south, stretching from northern Wisconsin through eastern Nebraska," according to AccuWeather Storm Warning Meteorologist John Lavin. "The main threats will be damaging winds, hail and flash flooding, but a few tornadoes are also possible in this corridor." (For more information on this story and more national news, subscribe to the Across America Patch.)

According to the weather service, the greatest threat of a strong tornado or two appears to be focused over parts of western Oklahoma and the eastern Texas Panhandle. AccuWeather's Lavin also says the area is at risk and a couple of the tornadoes could be strong and on the ground for more than a few minutes.

Tornadoes may threaten the cities and surrounding communities of Hays and Dodge City, Kansas; Woodward and Elk City, Oklahoma; and Childress, Texas, he says. As Tuesday night progresses, the risk of tornadoes will diminish over the Plains. However, the threat for damaging winds will continue and could ramp up for a time

"Even as thunderstorms begin to collapse at night, dry air from aloft may be drawn quickly down to near the ground in the form of high winds," according to AccuWeather Lead Storm Warning Meteorologist Eddie Walker.

Des Moines, Iowa; Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska; Topeka, Salina and Wichita, Kansas; Oklahoma City; and Abilene, Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, lie within the threat area Tuesday night, Walker said.

"Spanning Tuesday and Tuesday night, the severe storms are expected to cause disruptions to logistical operations, with downed trees and power lines, road closures and structural damage to businesses and homes all possible," AccuWeather Storm Warning Meteorologist Joseph Bauer said.

As rounds of thunderstorms repeat in portions of the Plains and Mississippi Valley, the potential for dangerous flooding will increase into this weekend. Violent thunderstorms will not be the only threat over a large part of the central United States into this weekend.

"In places that have wet ground now, any additional rain will aggravate flooding and delay planting operations," according to AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Elliot Abrams.

If a tornado warning is issued, residents should quickly seek shelter in the lowest level of their homes and move away from doors and windows. Many homes in the Plains are equipped with underground storm cellars, which provide an even greater degree of safety during threatening weather.

Photo Credit: Orlin Wagner/Associated Press