Following a day of violent weather in the South, another round of severe storms is forecast to fire up across parts of the southern and central Plains on Thursday.
Widespread severe storms that include damaging wind gusts, large hail and a few tornadoes are expected Thursday afternoon and evening, the Storm Prediction Center said. Hailstones greater than 2 inches in diameter and strong wind gusts will be possible along the more intense parts of a fast-moving line of storms.
The states at greatest risk for severe storms Thursday are Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas.
On Wednesday, damaging winds, destructive hail and a few tornadoes toppled trees, damaged buildings and blew cars off a highway as powerful storms crossed the South from Texas to Georgia. One man was struck by lightning in Troup County, Georgia. He survived the strike with only minor injuries, WSB-TV said.
Baseball-sized hail and 80 mph wind gusts
Much of Oklahoma was under a “moderate” risk for severe storms Thursday. That’s level 4 out of 5 on the severe storm risk scale. The National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma, warned of a “significant severe weather” outbreak.
People “should be prepared for hail up to the size of baseballs and winds up to 80 mph with the stronger storms,” the weather service said.
In addition to the Plains, “a severe threat will also exist today across parts of the Southeast, and in parts of theMidwest,” the SPC said.
In the Southeast, there are “additional chances for flash flooding and severe weather from the central/easternGulf Coast to parts of southern Georgia and northern Florida,” the weather service said.
And in the Midwest, there is a “marginal” risk of severe weather in Ohio and Michigan, according to the SPC.
The active weather will not conclude Thursday. Another round of intense thunderstorms are possible on Friday, extending farther northwest into the Lower Mississippi Valley as well.
Record-breaking heat in Texas and Deep South
A mid-June heat wave continues to scorch much the South on Thursday, with the worst of the heat in south Texas, where it could feel as hot as 120 degrees, the weather service said. “Dangerously hot temperatures and high humidity” will be the main weather story Thursday and over the next few days across much of the Lone Star State.
Sultry heat indices of up to 110 degrees will also extend east into southern Louisiana.
Some high temperature records could be set in a few areas. In addition, the heat wave isn’t expected to let up and is likely to continue into next week.
“Residents and visitors within regions impacted by excessive heat are urged to follow proper heat safety; such as staying hydrated, limiting time outdoors, and checking in on any vulnerable friends, family, and neighbors,” the weather service said.
