Severe Outbreak Could Spawn Several Tornadoes, Widespread Wind Damage – The Weather Channel
Millions Face Life-Threatening Storms This WeekendThe South will be in the crosshairs of potentially strong, long-tracked tornadoes, widespread damaging winds, large hail and flash flooding as a tornado outbreak roars eastward.NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center has issued a 5 out of 5 “high risk” of severe weather for Saturday. This threat level is rare, usually only on a severe weather forecast two to three times each year, and is generally used only when supercells are capable of strong tornadoes, or long-lived squall lines are expected to produce widespread damaging winds.In their Saturday morning discussion, the SPC noted that “a tornado outbreak is expected across the central Gulf Coast States and Deep South into the Tennessee Valley. Numerous significant tornadoes, some of which should be long-track and potentially violent, are expected this afternoon and evening.”Take this threat seriously and know ahead of time where your safe shelter is and have multiple ways to receive warnings, especially since the severe storms could threaten at night in some locations.By signing up you agree to the Terms & Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe at any time.This is day two of the ongoing tornado outbreak. Numerous tornadoes touched down on Friday into early Saturday in the mid-South and Midwest, including several near St. Louis, a damaging tornado in Rolla and one in Hartville, Missouri.(MORE: News From Across The Central US) Thunderstorms are ongoing in a wavy line and in clusters from Louisiana to Tennessee. Numerous warnings of severe weather are in effect. NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center has issued a “Particularly Dangerous Situation” tornado watch for eastern Louisiana and much of Mississippi through 6 p.m. CDT, including Jackson and Tupelo, Mississippi, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Strong tornadoes, wind gusts up to 75 mph and very large hail are possible in this area.The SPC has also issued a tornado watch for parts of southeastern Arkansas, northern Louisiana, northwestern Mississippi and southwestern Tennessee until 1 p.m. CDT. -Locations: The Deep South has the highest risk for severe storms, including parts of Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and the Florida Panhandle. That includes Atlanta; Birmingham, Huntsville and Montgomery, Alabama; Chattanooga and Nashville, Tennessee; Jackson, Mississippi; New Orleans; and Pensacola, Florida.The level 5 out of 5 risk for widespread severe storms is from central Mississippi to eastern and central Alabama. This area includes Birmingham and Tuscaloosa, Alabama; and Jackson and Hattiesburg, Mississippi. This is where atmospheric conditions will be most conducive for producing tornadic supercell thunderstorms. You should be in your storm shelters in this area from mid-afternoon into the evening, if not overnight hours, in this area shaded in darker red above. At least some severe weather could extend as far north as Ohio, West Virginia and western Pennsylvania.-Timing: Severe Thunderstorms will grow in intensity this afternoon in parts of the Lower Mississippi Valley and the Tennessee Valley. The most widespread severe weather will unfold in the afternoon and into the overnight hours, spreading from west to east across the threat areas shown above. As an example, the peak threat of severe weather won’t reach the Atlanta metro until the evening or overnight hours.-Threats: NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center says numerous significant tornadoes, and some long-track tornadoes are expected. In addition, the storms are likely to produce widespread damaging wind gusts and large hail. Flash flooding from heavy rain could impact northern parts of Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky.(MORE: Nighttime Tornadoes Twice As Likely To Be Deadly)-Locations: The cold front might produce additional bouts of severe storms from the mid-Atlantic states to the Southeast as the weekend ends. That includes Charleston, South Carolina; Raleigh, North Carolina; Philadelphia; and Washington, D.C.-Timing: Leftover storms from overnight, some possibly severe, will likely be ongoing in the morning in parts of the East. A combination of those storms possibly intensifying and new storms developing will keep the threat of severe weather going through the afternoon.-Threats: Damaging wind gusts are the primary concern, but a few tornadoes are possible. Localized flash flooding could also occur in spots.The setup is familiar for March and the rest of spring, with a sharp southward plunge of the jet stream swinging out of the West toward the central and eastern states.At the same time, the jet stream energy helps to form a strong low-pressure system along a cold front that draws increasing moisture north from the Gulf.(MORE: Typical Ingredients For An Outbreak)That combination of ingredients triggers the formation of numerous thunderstorms, some of which could rotate and produce tornadoes in addition to widespread damaging winds and hail.We recognize our responsibility to use data and technology for good. We may use or share your data with our data vendors. Take control of your data.The Weather Channel is the world’s most accurate forecaster according to ForecastWatch, Global and Regional Weather Forecast Accuracy Overview, 2017-2022, commissioned by The Weather Company.Weather Channel© The Weather Company, LLC 2025
