People living in the Plains states and Midwest may want to change any outdoor plans they have for the upcoming weekend because there’s some severe weather in store. The National Weather Service says that thunderstorms, high winds, large hail and even tornadoes are possible this weekend.
The atmosphere east of the Rocky Mountains will rapidly change from cold and stable to one that’s more conducive for severe weather as we head into the weekend. The National Weather Service says that there’s a good chance of heavy thunderstorms, winds, large hail and even tornadoes for the Midwest, Ohio Valley and Mississippi Valley this weekend. While spring is known for bringing with it violent tornadoes, fall is considered the “second” tornado season. It’s entirely possible for tornadoes to form during the latter part of October and beginning of November in the US. This is because at this time of the year, strong fronts and upper-air systems barrel across the US. And, when warm & moist air is plentiful with these types of systems, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes can occur. While 2013 has thus far been historically quite as far as tornado activity is concerned, at least 46 people have died this year due to tornadoes.
While folks in the Plains and Midwest are being warned about thunderstorms, wind and hail that may be heading there way, people living in places like the Chicago area, southwest Michigan and northwestern Indiana are already feeling the bite of Old Man Winter. Up to 8 inches of snow fell in La Porte Indiana between late Monday night and early Tuesday morning. Even though people there are used to being smacked by winter weather, this storm was was considered a bit too early for most.
The hardest hit area was around New Buffalo, Michigan where white-out conditions prevailed after 14 inches of white stuff fell. While those affected by the wintery weather are surely not happy with having to put on snow tires and shovel snow so early, most are likely not happy to hear that rain, thunderstorms, high winds and hail are what they can look forward to next.
Thus far it’s too early to tell just how severe the weather will be this coming weekend. At the very least, it’s more than likely that thunderstorms will prevail along with high gusting winds. Forecasters across the country are for the most part, in agreement now that hail could also come down and that even a twister or two could develop. We’ll just have to wait and see.