Severe thunderstorms can hamper Memorial Day weekend plans across the High Plains
Residents across the High Plains from west Texas to the Dakotas are in for a continuation of the stormy pattern to close out the holiday weekend, which can undoubtedly impact Memorial Day celebrations and services.
The Great Plains have experienced quite a wild month of May thus far, with many cities recording rainfall totals that are above what typically occurs. In addition to the rainfall, a slew of hazardous conditions have accompanied the rain as well.
Massive hailstones, extreme wind gusts, tornadoes and flash flooding have all occurred on a near-daily basis recently across west Texas, New Mexico, western Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and the Dakotas, and that is expected to continue right into Memorial Day.
As expected, thunderstorms on Saturday produced severe conditions along a north-south strip of the High Plains, with numerous instances of wind or hail damage from West Texas into western North Dakota. Over a half-dozen tornadoes also occurred, pending official confirmation.
INTENSE hail core punch south of Silverton, Texas pic.twitter.com/h6jQbODNVl
— Reed Timmer, PhD (@ReedTimmerAccu) May 29, 2023
On Sunday, storms were focused on the southern half of the Plains, stretching from Nebraska to Texas. Storms were particularly intense in the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles, where hail over the size of golf balls was common. Extreme Meteorologist Reed Timmer had a close encounter with this hail, driving through the core of a strengthening severe thunderstorm.
Into the day on Monday, Memorial Day, the risk for severe thunderstorms is expected to become more localized across the Plains, focusing primarily across the Dakotas and into southern Canada. While there could be pockets of rain and thunderstorms across the rest of the Plains, the extent of severe thunderstorms will likely be limited.
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In addition to bursts of heavy rain and frequent lightning, hail and damaging winds will br the primary hazard from these storms.
Heading into Tuesday, forecasters caution that a similar region, albeit slightly farther south, will be in line for severe storms.
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Cities such as North Platte, Nebraska, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota are included in this region.
Much like the day prior, hail and damaging winds can occur in the most intense thunderstorm activity. With an increase in wind shear, an isolated tornado or two also cannot be ruled out.
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While the exact placement is still to be determined, additional severe storms are likely on Wednesday. A broad swath of the High Plains, from western Nebraska to southwest Texas, could be in this area threatened by strong storms.
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