Severe Weather Potential Thursday PM from Ohio Valley to Gulf Coast

A powerful storm system will spin out of the center of the nation and through the Ohio Valley, Thursday, with a trailing cold front. In advance of the cold front, temperatures will climb into the 70s from the Carolinas, through the Southeast with 80s into Texas. Mid 60s will even be possible as far north as the Ohio River.

Air behind the cold front will be sharply colder and highs are Friday will be down into the 50s for portions of the Southeast with 40s back into the Ohio Valley. A one day difference of up to 30+ degrees. This plus additional atmospheric dynamics will lead to the potential for severe weather Thursday late afternoon into early Friday morning from the Ohio Valley to the Gulf Coast. The threat will include all of the major variables: hail, strong damaging winds and even some tornadoes.

Fine tuning of the forecast will take place over the next 24 to 36 hours; however, it is advised that you have your severe weather preparations in place if you live in the shaded zone in the graphic at right. This means knowing where to go in the event a warning is issued for your location and to have proper means to being notified. I will talk about some of these items in a special live briefing to discuss specifically the forecast and WeatherCall and NOAA Weather Radio, Wednesday afternoon at 1 pm. If you can't make it here at that time I will be sure to post a recorded video of the briefing.