Severe Weather Threatens Amarillo, Omaha

By Kristina Pydynowski, Senior Meteorologist

July 31,2013; 8:43PM,EDT

 

 

 

Two rounds of severe weather will threaten the Plains through Thursday night.
The stage is set for violent thunderstorms to rattle places from the Texas Panhandle to western Kansas and central Nebraska through Wednesday night.
Communities at risk of being hit with one of these powerful thunderstorms include McCook and Kearney, Neb., and Dodge City, Kan. The threat zone also encompasses Guymon, Okla., and Amarillo, Texas.
The strongest thunderstorms will be capable of producing damaging winds and hail. A tornado touching down would be an isolated incident.
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There is also concern for slow-moving thunderstorms to produce flash flooding.
On Thursday, there is concern for numerous severe thunderstorms to erupt in the afternoon across a large section of Nebraska and northern Kansas.
McCook and Kearney will once again be threatened by thunderstorms that could unleash damaging winds, hail and an isolated tornado.

AccuWeather.com meteorologists expect the violent thunderstorms to consolidate into a cluster of heavy rain and thunderstorms. The formation of this cluster will likely not stop the strongest thunderstorms from producing damaging winds.
Flash flooding is also a concern, especially where torrential rain has recently poured down.
Omaha, Neb., and Topeka, Kan., lie in the path of this cluster for Thursday night. The cluster should reach Kansas City, Mo., late Thursday night, then St. Louis and Springfield, Mo., Friday morning.
Despite weakening some, there is still concern for flooding and blinding downpours to be present Friday morning.