From Kansas to Minnesota: Severe storms including tornadoes forecast, will airports be shut?
Large hail and tornadoes have been forecast across the Plains, Midwest and South of the US in the next few days.
The National Weather Service has given an update on severe storms predicted across the US. It says that on Thursday April 23, “A few storms will kick off this afternoon along a cold front, developing into a line as they push east. → Initially, storms will have a large hail threat with an isolated tornado possible.
“As storms develop into a line, the main threat will become wind. An isolated tornado cannot be ruled out. → The area of greatest risk for strong/severe storms will be dependent on the location of the cold front. This may shift storms a little further east depending on how far through Nebraska/Iowa the front gets this afternoon.”
The National Weather Service has also said: Strong southerly winds ahead of an accompanying surface cold front will advect Gulf moisture and higher instability northward to initiate widespread thunderstorms stretching from the Upper Midwest southwest through the central/southern Plains today (Thursday). Strong upper- and lower-level wind fields will support the threat of severe weather, and a broad Slight Risk (level 2/5) from the Storm Prediction Center is in place across the region with damaging winds, large hail, and a few tornadoes all possible.
“A locally higher Enhanced Risk (level 3/5) has been introduced over portions of eastern Kansas where a combination of higher instability and favorable low-level shear could lead to very large hail and a strong tornado. Locally heavy downpours as well as increasing thunderstorm coverage along the front into the evening hours will also bring an isolated risk for flash flooding.
“The front will continue eastward Friday bringing thunderstorms into the Great Lakes region southwest through the Mississippi Valley. The severe weather threat will shift southeastward from the ArkLaTex east to the Lower Mississippi Valley, with a Slight Risk in place mainly for the threat of large hail and damaging winds. Isolated flash flooding will be a threat here as well.”
In the aftermath of tornadoes, Kansas governor Laura Kelly issued a verbal state of disaster emergency on Monday, April 13 at 9:06 p.m. She said: Due to the severe weather that impacted the state overnight, I've declared a disaster emergency to ensure state assistance was readily available if needed.”
Governor Laura Kelly also said: "I encourage all Kansans to have an emergency kit and a family plan in preparation for a tornado. Stay updated on local weather conditions by listening to a NOAA weather radio or local TV and radio stations. Once a warning is activated, it is important to take cover.”
Five days ago, the Facebook group for Kansas Department of Transportation wrote: “Severe weather is forecasted to impact Kansas this afternoon through this evening. PLAN AHEAD so you can seek shelter in safe locations should a storm impact your travel plans. Have several ways of receiving weather alerts. #KSWX.”
It is not yet known if the forthcoming severe storms including tornadoes will impact airports and flights.