Severe Weather Threatens Central Plains to Midwest

Through the remainder of the Labor Day holiday weekend, severe weather threatens outdoor plans from the central Plains to the Midwest.

While the weekend started off with only isolated severe weather, the next couple days will feature widespread severe storms across the north central U.S.

On Saturday afternoon, isolated strong to severe storms moved through parts of the Southeast bringing heavy rain and gusty winds.

On Sunday, an elevated threat for severe weather exists from the central Plains, northward into Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. Widespread severe storms are expected to develop Sunday afternoon across the central Plains and then head farther east into Sunday evening.

On Sunday afternoon, cities including Lincoln and Omaha, Neb.; Sioux Falls, S.D.; and Salina, Kansas, will need to watch the sky for any severe storms that may be in the vicinity.

The main threat from any storms that move through will be damaging winds, large hail, and a few tornadoes. As with any strong thunderstorm, frequent lightning will be a threat as well. Anyone attending outdoor activities in these areas should closely monitor weather conditions and head indoors if a thunderstorm is nearby.

Another round of severe storms is expected to develop on Monday. The threat zone will be farther east, including cities such as Chicago, St. Louis, and Kansas City. The main threat from these storms will be damaging winds, large hail, flooding downpours, and frequent lightning. The tornado threat will not be as high on Monday, however an isolated, brief tornado could still spin up.

The highlighted areas above show where there is an elevated risk for severe weather either on Sunday or Monday. It is important to stay alert to any severe weather watches or warnings that may be issued in this region through the rest of the holiday weekend.

The Labor Day forecast across the rest of the country will feature scattered thunderstorms along the East Coast, mostly dry conditions in the west, and more hot temperatures in the south.

Increasingly warm and humid conditions will continue to work into the Northeast, something that has been a rarity this summer. While it will not be a washout, scattered thunderstorms could interrupt barbecues from Washington DC up to Boston. High temperatures will be in the 80s, however humid conditions will make it feel more like the 90s by Monday aftenroon.

Some of the nicest weather will be across parts of the Southwest, where abundant sunshine and comfortable conditions will be in place. Cooler temperatures will be working into the northern Plains and an isolated shower or two could move through parts of the Pacific Northwest.