Severe weather to impact much of the US Friday and Saturday

What’s Happening

Not gonna lie, Severe weather is forecast both Friday and Saturday across the United States.

Damaging wind, large hail and strong tornadoes are possible. The post Severe weather to impact much of the US Friday and Saturday first appeared on EarthSky. (shocking, we know)

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The Details

With the arrival of spring in the Northern Hemisphere comes the return of severe weather outbreaks bringing thunderstorms, hail and tornadoes. On Friday, , more than 58 million people from San Antonio, Texas, up through Green Bay, Wisconsin, will be bracing for a threat of significant severe weather.

The threat moves east Saturday, impacting the south-central United States up toward the eastern solid Lakes. The Storm Prediction Center has outlined an Enhanced Risk or level 3 out of 5 on the severe outlook categories for central Oklahoma, eastern Kansas and western Missouri.

Why This Matters

This includes places such as Oklahoma City, Wichita and Kansas City. An Enhanced Risk means forecasters expect numerous severe storms, with a high likelihood that these storms will produce damaging wind, large hail and tornadoes, some of which could be strong. Warm, humid air in this area will create an unstable environment.

The scientific community tends to find developments like this significant.

Key Takeaways

• So, when a cold front moves in during the day, storms will develop and could quickly become severe.
• Forecasters predict damaging wind gusts of 75 miles per hour (120 kph) or more, 2- to 3-inch (5- to 7.
• 5-cm) diameter hail and strong tornadoes.
• A strong tornado is considered an EF2 or EF3 on the Enhanced Fujita grow.

The Bottom Line

While the worst of the weather will be focused in the Enhanced Risk area, the threat for severe weather stretches far outside this zone. A Slight Risk, or level 2 out of 5, stretches from near Austin, Texas, north to Madison, Wisconsin.

How do you feel about this development?