Violent Storms to Threaten 1,200-Mile Swath of Central US Saturday

By Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist

May 14,2015; 11:16PM,EDT

 

 

Another outbreak of severe storms, including tornadoes, that is forecast to begin on Friday will get up to full steam on Saturday over the Central states.
The risk of severe weather will stretch along a swath approximately 1,200 miles long.
According to AccuWeather Storm Warning Meteorologist Eddie Walker, severe storms will rake the Plains from near the borders of Canada to Mexico on Saturday into Saturday night.
The storms will affect areas from North Dakota and Minnesota to Texas.
"The entire gambit of severe weather is expected, with high wind gusts to 70 mph, very large hail, heavy rainfall and frequent cloud to ground lightning likely in the strongest storms," Walker said.

"Although not as widespread or numerous last weekend, isolated tornadoes will also be possible," Walker said.
People spending time outdoors or traveling across Interstate 10, I-20, I-40, I-70, I-80, I-90 and I-94 through Texas and the Plains should be on the lookout for rapidly changing weather conditions.

Officials will need to monitor the weather conditions closely for the Major League Baseball game at Kansas City, Missouri, between the Yankees and Royals on Saturday evening.
RELATED:
AccuWeather.com Severe Weather Center
PHOTOS: Tornado Rips Roof Off Lake City, Iowa, High School During Ceremony
The Difference Between Tornado Watches and Warnings
Cities that could be hit by one ore more severe storms on Saturday include Fargo, North Dakota; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Omaha, Nebraska; Kansas City; Wichita, Kansas; Oklahoma City; and Dallas and San Antonio, Texas.

Along with the risk of violent storms on Saturday will be the ongoing risk of flash flooding. The greatest risk of flooding is from portions of Texas to Oklahoma and parts of Kansas.
The risk of severe thunderstorms, including isolated tornadoes, will continue on Sunday but is forecast to shift farther to the east and lift northward.
Areas from Missouri and Illinois to Wisconsin, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, eastern Iowa and eastern Minnesota have the potential for heavy, gusty and locally dangerous storms.
The storms could affect the metro areas of St. Louis, Chicago, Milwaukee and Minneapolis on Sunday.