The National Weather Service's Prediction Center has issued a severe storm risk alert that will affect several regions of the country. The worst part is expected to arrive tonight and in a group of up to nine states. Once again, the intense spring instability will be felt in this part of the planet, already accustomed to storms, tornadoes, and hail.
So far, nine states are under watch for possible extreme weather conditions, including strong winds, hail, and, in some cases, isolated tornadoes. According to Wednesday's forecast, the most affected areas are concentrated in two large regions of the country.
The most affected areas
First on the east coast, where the risk of severe storms is kept in North Carolina, Virginia, Delaware, and Maryland. There, some of these storms are expected to generate strong wind gusts and even tornadoes, especially in coastal areas of North Carolina. Although the threat is expected to decrease as the night progresses, the humid and unstable environment remains conducive to storm development.
A second core of storm activity is located between northeastern Wyoming, southeastern Montana, and North and South Dakota. Atmospheric conditions will allow the formation of elevated storms, which could be accompanied by isolated hail. Although the overall instability is limited, some cells are expected to reach sufficient intensity to cause minor damage.
A mid and upper-level low-pressure system is moving eastward over the western states. All of this is accompanied by a cold front currently stalled over North and South Dakota. While the strongest upper-level winds remain west of the front, there are indications that elevated thunderstorms could be activated in areas of northeastern Nebraska.
The experts' recommendation
In contrast, the storms that affected parts of Mississippi and Alabama at dusk have significantly decreased. Therefore, no new development is expected due to the progressive cooling of the surface atmosphere after sunset. In this scenario, meteorological authorities recommend that the population of these nine entities stay alert to forecast updates.
As well as follow local safety instructions. Although it is a marginal risk, storms can intensify rapidly and cause unexpected impacts. In any case, once again, the best recommendation is to follow the evolution of the maps, which can change at any moment.