Upper Midwest, Appalachia to Spark Severe Storms

Although most of today's severe activity will return to the Upper Midwest, southern Appalachia will feature a few powerful thunderstorms as well.

In the Upper Midwest, the same frontal boundary that ignited yesterday's severe cells, stretching from the High Plains to the Great Lakes, will launch yet another round of inclement weather through this afternoon and evening.

Thunderstorms in the form of supercells, clusters, and line segments will throw a smorgasbord of impacts along this alley. Here, widely scattered damaging winds up to and beyond 70 mph, tennis ball-sized hail, and isolated tornadoes will all be possible.

The government's Storm Prediction Center has posted an Enhanced Risk, or a 3 out of 5 on the severe weather probability scale, focusing on areas near the tripoint of Minnesota and the Dakotas. A larger Slight Risk, a 2 out of 5, sweeps from far eastern Montana to western Michigan.

Another corridor with severe potential will be in southern Appalachia. Particularly unstable and humid air will be forced to rise ahead of and with the mountains, igniting isolated thunderstorms capable of hail and high winds.

Another Slight Risk covers this region, which includes northeastern Alabama, northern Georgia, the Smokies of Tennessee and North Carolina.

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. Also, check the WeatherBug app frequently for any updates on today's severe weather. Remember, "When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!"