Cincinnati, Ohio – More than 8 million people in the Southeast to the Ohio Valley region are facing the threat of powerful tornadoes as a severe thunderstorm event intensifies on Tuesday. This storm system is expected to bring damaging winds, hail larger than golf balls, and the potential for intense, long-track tornadoes across several states.
On Monday, the severe thunderstorms associated with this system impacted parts of Texas to Illinois, resulting in reports of multiple tornadoes in Oklahoma and large hailstones the size of baseballs. The Storm Prediction Center forecasts that today, the greatest risk for severe storms, including potentially destructive winds up to 75 mph and hailstones exceeding 2 inches in diameter, will be concentrated in southeast Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia.
The storm is projected to reach its peak strength on Tuesday afternoon and evening, with the possibility of storms persisting overnight in some areas. The Storm Prediction Center is advising residents in the storm’s path to monitor forecasts closely and have a severe weather action plan in place.
Parts of Ohio and Indiana, as well as portions of Kentucky and West Virginia, have been upgraded to a Level 4 out of 5 risk for severe storms. Meanwhile, areas extending from Alabama to southern Pennsylvania are under an enhanced risk (Level 3 out of 5) for severe storms, which includes potential tornadoes and large hail.
On Monday, the same severe weather system affected the central US, with more than 100 storm reports across the region. Significant hailstones were reported in Texas, including one as large as 4.5 inches in Briar, which is bigger than a softball.
As the storm system continues to move eastward, it is expected to bring wintry weather to parts of the Midwest and Great Lakes regions. Rain will transition to snow and a wintry mix in some areas, with the potential for heavy snowfall reaching up to 12 inches in parts of Michigan and Wisconsin. This wintry mix could result in travel disruptions and power outages.
In the Northeast, winter storm watches are in effect for much of the interior region, with heavy snowfall expected. Cities like New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia are forecasted to see rain amidst the wintry conditions. With the storm’s impact expected to continue through the week, residents in these areas are urged to stay informed and be prepared for changing weather conditions.