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Severe thunderstorms will rumble across parts of the southern High Plains and Midwest tonight, bringing the risk of damaging winds and hail.
A disturbance aloft, high moisture content and a cold front are the reasons for dangerous storms that have developed today. As the night progresses, additional clusters of storms are expected to develop in southeastern Colorado and track eastward into Kansas overnight. Another focal point of storms has been situated ahead of a cold front moving south and east across Iowa, Wisconsin and Missouri. Storms will most likely last into the overnight hours making it very difficult for anyone traveling.
Severe Thunderstorm Watches continue for southeastern Colorado into the Oklahoma and Texas panhandles, and southwestern Kansas. This includes the cities of Springfield and Lamar, Colo., Beaver, Okla., Liberal and Dodge CIty, Kan., and Perryton, Texas. Greatest risks include ping pong-sized hail and winds gusting up to 70 mph.
An additional Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for central Iowa, extreme southeastern Minnesota into central Wisconsin. A few cities in this watch that could see severe storms this tonight include Des Moines, Ottumwa and Waterloo, Iowa, and Prairie Du Chien, Wis.
The storms threatening southeastern Colorado, southwestern Kansas and the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles will produce large hail and damaging winds. The storms that develop over the central Plains and Upper Midwest, including southeastern Nebraska, northeastern Kansas, northern Missouri, most of Iowa, and Wisconsin will also see large hail and damaging winds. Flash flooding and a few isolated tornadoes have been reported from today's storms. Cities that have been or will be impacted include Omaha, Neb., Garden City, Kan. and Des Moines, Iowa.
Make sure to know the difference between a watch and warning should they be issued for your location. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means that conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms and you should have a plan for action. Whereas, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning means that severe weather is imminent, and you need to act fast to protect life. Remember, “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!” Also, if you encounter a flooded roadway, do not try to drive through it, "Turn Around, Don't Drown!"