04 Apr 2023 | 02:48 PM UTC
US: Adverse weather forecast across the South and Midwest through early April 6 /update 1
Severe weather forecast across parts of the South and Midwest, US through early April 6. Tornadoes possible.
Event
Severe weather is forecast across parts of the South and Midwest through early April 6. Severe thunderstorms are expected across a wide area from central Texas north-northeastward through the Mid-South and Ohio Valley and into parts of the Upper Midwest late April 4. The area of severe weather is expected to shift eastward April 5 and into the early hours of April 6, spanning from eastern Texas through the Mississippi and Ohio valleys and into parts of Michigan and the Northeast. Damaging winds, hail, and possible tornadoes may accompany the storms. The storms may also be accompanied in places by heavy downpours. Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying areas and strong winds could cause property damage and power outages. Widespread transport disruptions are likely across the affected area during the passage of the storms.
As of April 4, the National Weather Service's (NWS) Storm Prediction Center has warned of a moderate risk (level 4 on a five-tier scale) of severe thunderstorms late April 4 and overnight April 4-5 for parts of far northeastern Missouri, eastern Iowa, northwestern Illinois, and far southwestern Wisconsin, as well as a separate area of moderate risk across parts of northern and central Arkansas, far eastern Oklahoma, and southern Missouri. There is an enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms for surrounding areas of southern Wisconsin, central, eastern, and southern Iowa, northern and western Illinois, much of Missouri, central, northern, and western Arkansas, southeastern Oklahoma, and northeastern Texas. There is a slight risk of severe storms forecast for parts of northeastern Texas, eastern Oklahoma, far northwestern Louisiana, eastern and southern Arkansas, southeastern and western Missouri, eastern Nebraska, far northwestern Tennessee, far western Kentucky, far southeastern South Dakota, central, northeastern, and southwestern Iowa, .central, eastern, and southern Illinois, western Indiana, far southwestern Michigan, southern Wisconsin, and southeastern Minnesota.
From April 5-early April 6 there is an enhanced risk of severe storms for parts of far northern Mississippi, northeastern Arkansas, southeastern Missouri, central and western Tennessee, central and western Kentucky, eastern and central Illinois, across Indiana, most of Ohio, far northwestern West Virginia, much of Lower Michigan, and far southeastern Wisconsin. There is a slight risk of severe storms for parts of far eastern Texas, northern Louisana, northern and western Mississippi, central, eastern, and southern Arkansas, central Tennessee, eastern Kentucky, southeastern Missouri, central and northern Illinois, northern and western West Virginia, northern and western Pennsylvania, western New York, northern Lower Michigan, and southeastern Wisconsin.
Officials could update and extend the coverage of weather alerts over the coming days.
The severe weather may contribute to transport disruptions throughout the region. Floodwaters and debris flows may render some bridges, rail networks, or roadways impassable, impacting overland travel in and around affected areas. Flight disruptions are also possible. Ponding on road surfaces could cause hazardous driving conditions on regional highways. Authorities could temporarily close some low-lying routes that become inundated by floodwaters.
Severe weather will also likely trigger flight delays and cancellations at airports across the affected region. Flooding could block regional rail lines; freight and passenger train delays and cancellations are likely in areas with heavy rainfall and potential track inundation.
Localized business disruptions may occur in flood- or tornado-hit areas; some businesses might not operate at full capacity because of damage to facilities, possible evacuations, and some employees' inability to reach work sites.
Advice
Monitor local media for updated emergency and weather information. Seek updated information on weather and road conditions before driving or routing shipments through areas where severe weather is forecast. Plan accordingly for potential delivery delays if routing shipments by truck through the affected area. Do not attempt to drive through flooded areas. Confirm flights. Charge battery-powered devices in the case of prolonged electricity outages.
