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Tornadoes, damaging winds possible in plains

From Jonathan Belles

4 hours ago

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  • Severe weather is likely across the Central Plains Wednesday afternoon and evening.
  • This could include a few tornadoes, including a potentially strong tornado (EF2 or higher intensity).
  • There is also a risk of devastating gusts of wind and large hail.
  • A more limited threat of severe weather is possible on Thursday.

A robust fall cold front is poised to sweep eastward through the Plains, Midwest and South, with the potential for severe thunderstorms with a few tornadoes, damaging wind gusts and large hail.

Here are some things you should know Wednesday:

  • Threat area and dangers: From the Corn Belt to the Southern Plains. Tornadoes, damaging winds and hail are possible.
  • Area of ​​Greatest Concern: Locations shaded red below in eastern Kansas and neighboring states, including the Kansas City and Wichita metropolitan areas.
  • A strong tornado threat (EF2 or higher intensity) is possible in eastern Kansas, far northwest Missouri, and northeast Oklahoma.
  • Damaging wind gusts are likely in some thunderstorms, particularly in eastern Kansas, northwest Missouri and northeast Oklahoma.
  • Timing: From afternoon in parts of Nebraska and central Kansas to late evening in Missouri and Arkansas. A few weakening storms could continue into the overnight hours along the eastern and southern edges of the orange area on the map below.
PicturePicture

Severe weather forecast for Wednesday-Wednesday night

(The map above shows the probability of severe thunderstorms shaded, according to NOAA's Storm Prediction Center. Note that not all severe weather risk categories apply on a given day.)

Here are some things you should know Thursday:

  • The chance of severe weather decreases as the cold front moves east, but some strong storms could still develop from the Ohio Valley to the Deep South.
  • These storms usually produce strong gusts of wind, but an isolated tornado in the lower Mississippi Valley cannot be ruled out.
  • In some places, a rumble or two of thunder could jeopardize trick-or-treating plans.
  • For your full Halloween prediction click here.
PicturePicture

Severe weather forecast for Thursday-Thursday night

(The map above shows the probability of severe thunderstorms shaded, according to NOAA's Storm Prediction Center. Note that not all severe weather risk categories apply on a given day.)

Even behind the cold front, temperatures will drop by 15 to 25 degrees, bringing daytime temperatures back from record highs to the late October average.

(​MORE: Tornadoes and outbreaks can occur in fall and winter)

Jonathan Belles has been a graphic meteorologist and writer for Weather.com for 8 years and also helps produce videos for The Weather Channel en español. His favorite weather is tropical weather, but he also enjoys covering severe weather events, news reports, and winter storms. He is a two-time graduate of Florida State University and a proud graduate of St. Petersburg College.

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