Supercell thunderstorms spawned a swarm of tornadoes over western Kansas and in parts of four other states Tuesday, and more severe weather is on the way the next several days in the nation's heartland.
(MORE: Latest Damage Reports Recap)
Over two dozen reports of tornadoes were received by the National Weather Service Tuesday.
Dodge City, Kansas, had a very close call from a slow-moving supercell that spawned tornadoes southwest, west, and north of the city. At times, there were two tornadoes in progress at once from that cyclical supercell.
Radar,
visible satellite, and tornado reports loop over western Kansas showing
the tornadic supercells on May 24, 2016, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. CDT.There were reports of a house being damaged east of Ensign, Kansas. Fortunately, the occupants of the home were said to be fine. After the tornado had passed, damage was reported on the west side of Dodge City, as well as a propane leak on the highway which blocked traffic.
For more on Tuesday's storm reports, scroll down to our storm reports section or click here to read our impacts article.
The rounds of thunderstorms this week are being triggered by ripples of energy ejecting eastward from a southward dip in the jet stream across the West.
That upper-level energy is intercepting a warm, humid air mass being pulled north from the Gulf of Mexico, allowing the thunderstorms to form.
Current Radar with Watches and Warnings
Below is our latest forecast thinking on the timing and magnitude of this severe weather event throughout the next several days.
Severe Weather Forecast
Keep in mind that although our forecasts maps the next several days may show that a large area is at risk for severe weather, that not every single location will see damaging thunderstorms. Also, the magnitude of the severe weather threat and tornado potential may vary each day. Check back for updates.Wednesday
- The primary corridor for severe thunderstorm potential will exist from the northern Plains and Upper Midwest into parts of southwest Texas.
- Threats: Damaging wind gusts, large hail and possible isolated tornadoes.
- Cities: Mpls./St. Paul | Omaha | Wichita Falls
Wednesday's Thunderstorm Forecast
- Severe thunderstorms may be more numerous in the Plains states. This includes parts of Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, eastern Colorado, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas.
- Threats: Tornadoes, large hail, damaging wind gusts.
- Cities: Dallas | Kansas City | Okla. City | Wichita
Thursday's Thunderstorm Forecast
- The risk for severe thunderstorms slides slightly east. This includes areas from the Missouri Valley (parts of Iowa and Nebraska to central and east Texas).
- Threats: Damaging wind gusts, large hail and possible isolated tornadoes.
- Cities: Dallas | Houston | Shreveport
Friday's Thunderstorm Forecast
Storm Reports Since Saturday
Tuesday:Earlier Tuesday afternoon, there was a hailstorm in and around Denver, where the National Weather Service reported hailstones as large as golf balls. In fact, southeast of the city, hail was reported to be completely covering the ground – in some places so deep that it was considered "plowable."
There were even a pair of confimed tornadoes in Michigan's Upper Peninsula Tuesday, southwest of Marquette, Michigan. These were the first May tornadoes in Marquette County since at least 1973.
It wasn't just tornadoes Tuesday. Over six inches of rain triggered severe flash flooding in northeast Arkansas, including the city of Jonesboro.
Redwolf and aggie @ryanvaughan
On Monday evening, tornadoes were reported in Oklahoma and Texas. A tornado was spotted on the ground just north of Woodward, Oklahoma. No damage was reported in the area. Another tornado was later reported near Northfield, Texas.
#sunset with a side of #tornado near Woodward OK Monday.. @KOCO_FAST2 captured on #KOCOFirstAlert @koconews #okwx
Additionally on Monday evening, quarter-size hail covered a portion of I-40 near Lake McClellan, Texas, and 60 mph wind gusts from the same severe thunderstorm overturned a semi-truck along I-40 in the same area. Injures were reported with the overturned semi-truck.
Sunday:
There were multiple reports of tornadoes Sunday evening across Texas, Kansas and South Dakota.
A tornado touched down near Howardwick, Texas, and another tornado was spotted south of Interstate 20 near Big Springs, Texas. A large tornado near Waka, Texas, knocked down a quarter-mile row of power lines. In Kansas, a half-mile wide wedge tornado was reported near Lydia. No major damage has been reported in all of the areas mentioned above.
torn on ground south of I20 near Big Springs #txwx
Saturday:
Severe weather began late Saturday, but it was confined to parts of eastern Montana, western Kansas and western Texas. There was at least one tornado in Wichita County, Kansas, Saturday evening but no damage was reported.
Setup For Severe Weather
That weather pattern is on display through the week ahead.
A trough of low pressure aloft across the western U.S. will move very slowly eastward this week. As disturbances swing around the base of the trough and eject eastward from the Rocky Mountains to the Plains, a surge of deep moisture will ride northward from the warm Gulf of Mexico.
Meanwhile, winds aloft (low level jet) coming out of the south will be increasing in intensity. This combination is an ideal recipe for severe thunderstorms to develop.
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MORE: Plains Severe Weather - May 9,2016 (Photo Gallery)
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