The Storm Prediction Center has issued a moderate risk for severe thunderstorms across a large swath of the central United States this weekend, with the potential for destructive tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds from Texas to Iowa.
A powerful upper-level trough moving across the Rockies will interact with rich Gulf moisture to create an unstable atmosphere capable of producing supercell thunderstorms. The greatest tornado risk extends from central Oklahoma through central Kansas on Saturday afternoon and evening.
CAPE values are forecast to exceed 4,000 J/kg with strong wind shear profiles supporting rotating storms. The Storm Prediction Center notes that the setup bears similarity to the April 2011 and April 2014 outbreaks that produced long-track tornadoes.
Emergency management officials in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas have activated storm spotter networks and opened emergency operations centers. The National Weather Service will issue watches and warnings as the threat becomes more imminent.
Residents in the threat area are urged to review their severe weather safety plans, know the location of their nearest shelter, and have multiple ways to receive weather warnings including weather radio and smartphone alerts.
