Rounds of severe thunderstorms to jolt Rockies to Midwest
As the summer season officially gets underway, severe thunderstorms will target large sections of the central United States, AccuWeather meteorologists say.
A repetitive storm track from Wyoming and Colorado to northern Minnesota through the end of the week will help to ignite rounds of severe weather across the Plains.
"Multiple waves of energy are forecast to move northeastward along the jet stream, acting as a trigger for thunderstorms to break out this week," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Elizabeth Danco.
Severe weather on Wednesday stretched from North Dakota to Texas, with a tornado reportedly killing four people in the town of Matador, Texas, about 95 miles east of Lubbock Wednesday night. Elsewhere large hail injured dozens at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado.
Some of the same areas may get more thunderstorms again through Thursday night.
A "particularly dangerous situation" unfolded Thursday afternoon when a tornado-warned storm tracked south of downtown Denver. A tornado warning was issued across Douglas and Arapahoe counties, warning of "life-threatening" conditions. Earlier, a severe thunderstorm warning that included Denver warned of baseball-sized hail for the area once more.
As is the case with every round of thunderstorms, the risk of lightning could be dangerous for anyone participating in outdoor activities. Downpours will also have the potential to bring reduced visibility, leading to slower travel.
The risks of hail, damaging winds and flash flooding will continue on Friday, and some of the same communities threatened by severe weather earlier in the week could once again be in the line of fire. This includes cities like Rapid City, South Dakota, Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and Dodge City, Kansas, in the central Plains. Additionally, a zone across northern Texas will face some risk for severe storms, including Dallas.
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The biggest difference on Friday is that there will be an increased amount of spin in the atmosphere, which could lead to a greater chance of tornadoes.
"The risk for a tornado or two to spin up will increase late this week, with the best chance on Friday and Saturday," Danco said.
AccuWeather meteorologists are also warning that there may be a more widespread risk of severe thunderstorms in general on Saturday.
In addition to the risk of isolated tornadoes for communities from the Interstate 94 corridor to Kansas City and the northern suburbs of St. Louis, large hail and damaging wind gusts as high as 80 mph are possible.
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For locations farther east, this final day of severe weather could lead to a drastic change in the weather pattern.
Abnormal heat is expected to close out the week in cities like Des Moines, Iowa, and Omaha, Nebraska. Both locations are forecast to have high temperatures in the 90s F, - about 5-10 degrees above historical average - a feat more typical for the month of July.
After Saturday's thunderstorms roll through, temperatures are expected to take a nosedive. In Minneapolis, Sunday's temperatures could struggle to reach the mid-70s. Temperatures are likely to bounce back to the 80s early next week, closer to historical averages for late June.
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