Severe Storm Outbreak Likely Across Mid-Mississippi Valley, Midwest | WeatherBug
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Severe Storm Outbreak Likely Across Mid-Mississippi Valley, Midwest

March 29, 2020
UPDATED By WeatherBug's Christopher Smith
A dangerous severe storm outbreak is likely across the Mid-Mississippi Valley and Midwest to kick off the weekend, with tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds all imminent this evening.

The storm threat is due to a powerful area of low pressure coming together across the Plains and western Midwest this evening. The epicenter of the storm threat will be near the low pressure itself, where the air masses will be mixed into a froth, leading to the best chance for tornadoes and damaging winds. 

There is an Enhanced Risk that stretches from southeastern Iowa into Chicago and southward through parts of the Tennessee Valley. A broad area of the Mississippi Valley and even the lower Ohio Valley will be at risk for still-powerful strong-to-severe thunderstorms overnight.

Currently Tornado Watches stretch from eastern Iowa and central Illinois southward through southeastern Missouri, southwestern Kentucky and Indiana, western Tennessee, northwestern Mississippi and southwestern Akansas. This includes the cities of Dubuque, Iowa, Springfield, Ill., Paducah, Ky., Memphis, Tenn., and Oxford, Miss. 

If you live along the Interstate 72, 74, or 80 corridors across Illinois, it is imperative that you keep an eye on the ongoing weather conditions and be prepared to take shelter quickly. Cities such as Springfield and Peoria, Ill., are most at risk to see these dangerous storms, although the greater Chicago metro region and Gary, Ind., are also likely to be at risk.

In addition to the severe thunderstorm threat, heavy rain will extend eastward from the storm system into the Midwest. Widespread rainfall totals in excess of an inch are expected from Missouri to Pennsylvania over the next 24 to 36 hours, with locally as much as 2 to 3 inches in spots. Flash Flood Watches are in effect across northeastern Indiana and northwestern Ohio, including Fort Wayne and Muncie, Ind., and Findlay, Ohio. The heavy rain could cause rivers and streams to jump their banks, leading to flooding of roads very quickly.

With much of the region already under coronavirus-related sheltering orders, it would be wise to not go out today unless you absolutely have to. If you do have to drive, remember to “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” as it only takes 6 inches of water to sweep a car away. Whether or not you travel, keep a watchful eye to the sky and be prepared to seek shelter in a safe, interior room if a storm approaches.

The latter part of the weekend will be somewhat quieter, as the storm advances into the Great Lakes and ultimately Canada. This will sweep a cold front across the region, allowing for cooler and drier air to take root.