Few Big Storms Pepper the Eastern Great Lakes to Texas Plains Today

A smattering of potentially dangerous weather may pepper parts of the eastern Great Lakes to the Texas Plains this afternoon and evening.

A cold front dividing unseasonably hot, humid air from cooler, much drier air behind it will continue to instigate downpours and a smattering of powerful thunderstorms, especially from the eastern Great Lakes to the Ohio Valley and southern Texas Plains.

Severe Thunderstorm Watches remain in effect for parts of Ohio and west-central into central Texas. Austin, College Station, Waco, Junction, and San Angelo, Texas, are included.

The government's Storm Prediction Center has maintained a Slight Risk, or a 2 out of 5 on the severe weather probability scale, for two areas today. The first covers northern Ohio to the Kentucky-Indiana border and the other extends from the Texas Big Bend to central and southern Texas.

Damaging wind gusts, large hail, and blinding downpours will be the main risks. An isolated tornado cannot be discounted near the Texas Big Bend, however. Del Rio and San Antonio, Texas, Paducah, Ky., Indianapolis, Detroit, Cleveland, and Buffalo, N.Y., could face a storm encounter this afternoon and evening.

The severe weather risk will extend into midweek, latching onto southern New England to the Mid-Atlantic and west of central Appalachia. A few gusty thunderstorms could be in the forecast near the Texas Big Bend to eastern New Mexico as well.

Make sure to know the difference between a watch and a warning should they be issued. A watch means that conditions are favorable for severe weather to occur, and to be on alert for any rapidly changing conditions. A warning means that severe weather is imminent, and you should act fast to remain safe.

The best way to remain safe is to stay prepared and informed about your local weather. Have a severe weather kit packed with a battery-operated radio, water, and non-perishable food items should you be without power for long periods of time. Also, check the WeatherBug app frequently for any updates on today’s severe weather. Remember, “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!”