WeatherFanatics: Severe Storms to Target 40 Million From Illinois to Texas

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Severe Storms to Target 40 Million From Illinois to Texas

By Jordan Root, Meteorologist

October 2,2014; 8:59PM,EDT

A powerful cold front producing towering clouds, severe thunderstorms and torrential rain will put millions of people in harm's way into Thursday night.
A zone from northern Illinois to northeastern Texas will be at the greatest risk for gusty winds, hail and torrential downpours.
"An active cold front sweeping across the center of the country on Thursday combined with a push of Gulf moisture into the Plains will set the stage for severe storms," said AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Evan Duffey.
These storms will threaten more than 40 million people as they target several major cities including Chicago; St. Louis and Springfield, Missouri; Little Rock, Arkansas; Memphis, Tennessee; Shreveport, Louisiana; Dallas; and Houston.

People in the path of the storms should expect travel disruptions from poor visibility and excess water on the roadways. Delays are be possible at major airports, including O'Hare and Dallas-Fort Worth.
According to AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Ed Vallee, Chicago will be at risk for storms beginning late in the day Thursday.
"Thunderstorms will develop ahead of the front Thursday afternoon and move into the Chicago area Thursday evening," said Vallee. "These storms could bring gusty winds, heavy rain and maybe even some small hail."
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Wind gusts up to 65 mph are possible and will have the ability to bring down trees and power lines. Folks will want to be prepared in case the power does go out.
An isolated tornado or two cannot be ruled out, but the most widespread threat will be wind.
A large squall line could develop from Missouri to Texas by Thursday evening and will have the possibility of leaving a path of downed trees and property damage.
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The same cold front brought severe weather to Kansas and Missouri on Wednesday with hail, gusty winds and heavy downpours blasting the Kansas City area. Rainfall totals around the city approached 3 inches.
Heavy rain will again be a threat Thursday and could lead to flooded streets and highway underpasses. Motorists will need to use extra caution and choose alternative routes if they encounter high water.
A second severe weather season is often highlighted each year between October and November. Severe weather events in the fall are not unusual due to humid air clashing with chilly air diving out of Canada. This is also the time of the year where winds high above the ground strengthen, which can give extra energy to thunderstorms, should they form.
The same front will track through the eastern Great Lakes, Ohio Valley and central Appalachians on Friday and will bring another round of gusty thunderstorms and heavy downpours.

"Gusty storms will be possible on Friday, but the area affected will be much smaller as compared to Thursday," said Duffey.
The threat zone will include Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio, and Charleston, West Virginia.
As the leading edge of the chilly air arrives, some areas may have strong gusts of wind in the absence of a thunderstorm or shower.

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