CNN
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A multi-day series of severe thunderstorms intensified across the central United States on Friday, producing devastating tornadoes in parts of eastern Nebraska and northeast Texas.
Storms began to develop across parts of the Plains and South early Friday afternoon, and multiple tornadoes were observed in Nebraska by midafternoon, including one near Lincoln and west of Omaha. I did. The National Weather Service then issued a tornado emergency as the storm tracked just west of Omaha. This is the most severe type of tornado warning, meaning a deadly tornado is confirmed.
A tornado roared through the Lincoln suburbs, kicking up debris and cutting across part of Interstate 80 in the process. A tractor-trailer that was blown over by the storm slowly backed up traffic on Interstate 80 northeast of the city, traffic cameras showed.
At least two tornadoes were observed northeast of Waco, Texas, Friday afternoon. Videos of the twister posted on social media showed it circling across a vast field.
The tornado threat will increase further into the evening.
These are all part of a classic spring setup for harsh weather. As the region heats up, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico flows into the central United States, setting the stage for intense storms in the atmosphere.
Some areas are under threat of severe thunderstorms for two or three days in a row.
Dallas; Kansas City, Missouri; Des Moines, Iowa. Omaha, Nebraska and Omaha, Nebraska are just a few of the cities that could be hit by multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms into Sunday.
Here are the locations where dangerous storms are expected each day:
Severe thunderstorms returned to parts of the Plains late Friday morning, prompting a tornado warning for Texas.
The Storm Prediction Center has increased the severe risk for the area as the storm is rapidly developing.
The level 5 of 5 severe thunderstorm threat in effect in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri was extended south to Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas early Friday afternoon.
The Texas storm could increase in scope and strength during the afternoon and evening, eventually reaching Oklahoma and Arkansas.
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Severe thunderstorms developed in eastern Nebraska in the early afternoon, and also in Kansas in the late afternoon. The storm will move east into Iowa and Missouri during the evening and evening.
A Level 3/5 storm could produce damaging wind gusts, baseball-sized hail, and strong tornadoes of at least EF2 strength.
“Several factors appear to support today's large tornado event,” the prediction center warned Friday morning. The risk of tornadoes will increase further into the evening.
Heavy rain of up to 2 inches per hour could cause flooding in parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri.
Heavy rain hit parts of Missouri on Thursday, prompting flash flood warnings for the Springfield area, which received more than half a month's worth of rain. Further heavy rain on Friday could cause flood levels to rise faster, creating an even greater danger.
Under certain atmospheric conditions, Saturday could be the most dangerous of the four days. The potential strength of the storm will depend on how it evolves Friday night and lingers into Saturday morning.
“Complex but potentially significant severe weather is expected on Saturday,” the forecast center warned on Friday.
When a storm forms in the morning, the atmosphere is fully charged and unable to descend into a dangerous storm over a large area. This scenario could still result in damaging storms that may not reach their peak potential strength.
However, if the storm subsides quickly on Saturday morning, there will not be much of a limit to its strength.
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The most severe storms could begin in the afternoon over parts of the southern and central Plains, with a level 3/5 risk of severe thunderstorms. Storms can cause widespread damaging wind gusts, baseball-sized hail, and strong tornadoes. Main danger.
The prediction center said the tornado threat will increase significantly in the late afternoon and early evening, with “multiple strong tornadoes” possible.
A vast region of the country, from the Great Lakes to South Texas, has the potential for damaging storms outside of the highest risk areas.
The weather forecast center warned that “significant rainfall events” were possible on Saturday. Close to 5 inches of rain could be recorded in a short period of time in some locations, potentially causing dangerous flash flooding. A small number of locations experiencing multiple rounds of heavy rain could see rainfall totals approaching the 8-inch mark.
Most of Oklahoma, including Oklahoma City and Tulsa, and some areas of Kansas and Texas are under a 3/4 risk level for excessive rainfall. Heavy rains can cause rivers to overflow their banks and flood roads.
Damaging storms are possible from Texas to Wisconsin on Sunday. However, the exact timing, extent and strength of these storms will largely depend on how Saturday night's storms play out.
If the atmosphere can recover after the morning storm, another round of severe thunderstorms will begin to form in the afternoon. Areas from northeast Texas to southern Iowa and western Illinois face the greatest risk of damaging storms.
The storm could produce damaging wind gusts and large hail, but could also produce an isolated tornado or two.
Some storms could remain severe as they move east Sunday night, especially in the southern part of the danger zone.
Heavy rain could lead to flooding, especially in parts of the lower Mississippi River basin.
The severe weather is expected to become more isolated by Monday. The developing storm may be confined to the Gulf Coast.
CNN Meteorologist Robert Shackelford contributed to this report.
