Severe Weather Threat Across the South: Damaging Winds, Large Hail & Tornadoes Likely
The start of meteorological spring brings with it a serious severe-weather threat across the South from Thursday through Friday, March 2-3.[0] Storms moving across the region will bring the risk of damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes, some possibly greater than EF-2 strength.[1]
The Storm Prediction Center has placed most of the ArkLaTex region under a Level 4 of 5 threat for severe storms, covering over two million people including Shreveport, Louisiana, and Tyler, Texas.[2] In this area, the most serious danger posed is the potential for destructive wind gusts and powerful tornadoes.[3]
The storms are expected to form over northern and central Texas this afternoon, before pushing into east Texas around 9 or 10pm.[4] Damaging wind gusts up to 70mph and perhaps a few tornadoes are possible as the line traverses the ArkLaTex through the mid to late evening hours, exiting the easternmost parishes around 1am.[4]
Heavy rainfall of 3 to 6 inches is expected through Thursday night with the potential for localized higher amounts, leading to multiple localized flash flooding events.[2]
Very heavy rain — up to 5 inches — is also possible with these severe storms, leading to a threat of flash flooding from Oklahoma to Ohio.[5]
Behind the front, Friday will be sunny and breezy with highs in the middle 60s.[6] Wind gusts may range from 30-40mph, but stronger gusts are a possibility.[7] As the storm pushes northward, it will produce a swath of heavy snow from the Upper Midwest through New England Friday and Saturday, with significant sleet and freezing rain possible just south of the heaviest snow.[1]
Outdoor furniture and things that could be blown away should be secured, as gusty winds of 30-40 mph are likely for all of us on Friday afternoon and evening, even if you don't get any strong thunderstorms.[8]
Temperatures this evening will be warm and humid, dropping to around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.[9] Temperatures during the night will be around the mid 60[9]
0. “More heavy-duty storms headed for Southern Plains, Mississippi Valley” Yale Climate Connections, 1 Mar. 2023, https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2023/03/more-heavy-duty-storms-headed-for-southern-plains-mississippi-valley
1. “Over 100000 without power in Texas as severe storms threaten more tornadoes and flooding across South, barrel …” erienewsnow.com, 3 Mar. 2023, https://www.erienewsnow.com/story/48489125/over-100000-without-power-in-texas-as-severe-storms-threaten-more-tornadoes-and-flooding-across-south-barrel-toward-northeast
2. “A severe thunderstorm outbreak threatens 45 million across the South Thursday, packing damaging winds and possible strong tornadoes” CNN, 1 Mar. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/01/weather/severe-weather-texas-louisiana-arkansas/index.html
3. “FIRST ALERT: Weather Alert Day for Friday Morning Severe Threat” WTOK, 3 Mar. 2023, https://www.wtok.com/2023/03/03/first-alert-weather-alert-day-friday-morning-severe-threat
4. “First Alert Weather Day: Severe weather threat continues into tonight” KSLA, 2 Mar. 2023, https://www.ksla.com/2023/03/02/first-alert-weather-day-severe-weather-expected-by-this-evening/
5. “South and Heartland brace for dangerous tornadoes” ABC News, 2 Mar. 2023, https://abcnews.go.com/US/flooding-rain-la-south-braces-tornadoes/story?id=97548217
6. “Thunderstorms to sweep through Piedmont Triad Friday, isolated tornado possible” WGHP FOX8 Greensboro, 2 Mar. 2023, https://myfox8.com/weather/thunderstorms-to-sweep-through-piedmont-triad-tomorrow-isolated-tornado-possible/
7. “South Carolina: Severe weather threat Friday” WYFF4 Greenville, 3 Mar. 2023, https://www.wyff4.com/article/south-carolina-severe-weather-threat-march/43157082
8. “Thunderstorms to roll through Piedmont Triad in the evening, potential for damaging winds” WGHP FOX8 Greensboro, 3 Mar. 2023, https://myfox8.com/news/north-carolina/piedmont-triad/thunderstorms-to-roll-through-piedmont-triad-in-the-evening-potential-for-damaging-winds/
9. “Severe Threat has now shift into early Friday morning.” WDAM, 2 Mar. 2023, https://www.wdam.com/2023/03/02/severe-threat-has-now-shift-into-early-friday-morning/
