Mother Nature is turning up the heat this Friday night, and not in a good way. The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for parts of Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming, as a potent storm system threatens to unleash tornadoes, 70 mph wind gusts, and hail the size of tennis balls across the region.
The watch, which stretches roughly 60 miles east and west of a line from 40 miles east northeast of Douglas, Wyoming, to 25 miles south of Clayton, New Mexico, will remain in effect until 9 p.m. MDT. Forecasters are bracing for what they describe as “widely scattered severe storms, including a few supercells and multicells,” with large hail and damaging winds as the primary hazards.
“At least widely scattered severe storms including a few supercells and multicells are expected regionally, with large hail and damaging winds the primary hazards,” the National Weather Service said in its advisory.
This isn't the only trouble brewing. A separate tornado warning has also been issued for parts of Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Missouri, which will remain in effect until 10 p.m. local time. Residents across these states should stay alert and prepared for rapidly changing conditions.
With severe weather already sparking concerns in other parts of the country, including critical fire alerts across five western states, the National Weather Service is urging everyone in the affected areas to have a safety plan in place. Here are some key tips to stay safe:
- Stay informed: Keep a NOAA Weather Radio or local news app handy for real-time updates on watches and warnings.
- Seek shelter: If a tornado warning is issued, head to your basement, safe room, or an interior room away from windows. Don't forget your pets if time allows.
- Avoid dangerous spaces: Stay away from windows and large open rooms like cafeterias, gymnasiums, or auditoriums.
- Choose sturdy buildings: Only seek shelter inside a well-built structure. Sheds, storage facilities, mobile homes, and tents are not safe.
- Vehicle safety: Being in a car during a tornado is extremely dangerous. If possible, drive to the nearest sturdy shelter. If you can't make it, either get down and cover your head inside the vehicle, or abandon it and lie flat in a low-lying area like a ditch or ravine.
This storm system comes on the heels of other severe weather events across the country, including tornadoes and 75 mph winds slamming Kansas and Nebraska just days ago. The pattern of intense spring storms shows no signs of letting up.
For those in the path of Friday night's storms, the message is clear: stay alert, stay safe, and don't take chances. The weather can change in an instant, and being prepared could make all the difference.
