Potent Storms Rumble Across Central Plains, Ozarks

While Independence Day is still several days out, Mother Nature will provide some fireworks of her own across the central U.S. tonight.

A cold front will slowly drop south across the central U.S. this evening. Hot and very humid weather will be in place ahead of the cold front, while colder, drier air filters in behind it. This collision of air masses combined with an unstable atmosphere will serve as the focus for robust thunderstorm development during the evening.

The government’s Storm Prediction Center has a Slight Risk zone for severe weather, from the central High Plains into the Ozarks. A slight risk is a 2 out of 5 on the severe weather probability scale. This includes Cheyenne, Wyo., parts of the Denver metro area, McCook and Omaha, Neb., Colby and Witchita, Kan., Kansas City and Springfield, Mo.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for portions of western and central Nebraska and northern Kansas. Cities include North Platte, McCook, and Grand Island, Neb., and Hill City, Kan. 

The main concern for all these areas will be damaging wind gusts. Here, wind gusts within thunderstorms could exceed 50 to 60 mph. Large hail will also be a possibility, with the greatest chance occurring in the central High Plains. Quarter-size hail or larger could develop across the High Plains from eastern Wyoming into northeastern Colorado. While a smaller threat, a few isolated brief tornadoes cannot be ruled out in any areas within the Slight Risk.

Make sure to know the difference between a watch and a warning should they become issued. A watch means that conditions are favorable for severe weather to occur and to be on alert for any rapidly changing conditions. A warning means that severe weather is imminent, and you should act fast to remain safe.

The best way to remain safe is to stay prepared and informed about your local weather. Have a severe weather kit packed with a battery-operated radio, water and non-perishable food items should you be without power for long periods of time. Also, check the WeatherBug app frequently for any updates on today’s severe weather. Remember, “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!”