Severe storms to strike central US through early week

By Renee Duff, AccuWeather.com Meteorologist

May 8,2016; 9:45PM,EDT

 

Several rounds of severe weather will ignite across the central United States through Monday.
The same system that triggered severe thunderstorms with tornadoes and large hail in Colorado on Saturday will progress eastward early this week.
The base of a large tornado that touched down in northeastern Colorado on Saturday evening. (Photo/Reed Timmer)
On Sunday afternoon and into Sunday night, the threat for severe thunderstorms will eye locations from central Nebraska to central Texas.

The severe weather threat zone is forecast to migrate slowly eastward into Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana and eastern Texas on Monday.
All modes of severe weather will be possible during the two-day span.
"The storms through Monday will bring the potential for frequent lightning strikes, flash flooding and a few isolated tornadoes, along with the ongoing risks of large hail and damaging wind gusts," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.
Anyone taking part in outdoor activities are warned to take shelter indoors at the first clap of thunder. So far this year, lightning fatalities are the highest they have been since 2001.
Motorists should remain aware of rapidly deteriorating visibilities and roadway conditions when a thunderstorm is encountered.
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While it is unlikely that every location in the threat zone will experience a severe thunderstorm, area residents should remain vigilant for local weather alerts throughout the day.
The extent of the severe weather may be determined by how much cloud cover and wet weather is around during the morning hours.
Any showers and/or thunderstorms that are present during the early part of the day could limit the amount of severe weather in the afternoon.

Thunderstorms will continue to push eastward into Tuesday, but the threat for organized severe thunderstorms will have diminished. Still, a few heavy and gusty thunderstorms are expected across the Mississippi and Ohio valleys throughout the day.
Heading into the summer months, latest indications are that the South Central states may remain a hot spot for heavy rainfall and severe weather.