Intense weather systems, incorporating heavy rain, hail, and strong gusts of wind, are making their way from the Midwest to New England.
Unleashing Chaos: Severe Weather Pummels U.S. from Texas to New York
Today sees a series of storms barreling through the heartland of America, from the Lone Star State to the Empire State.
Some 16 million brave souls have been issued flood and severe thunderstorm watches and warnings, with over half a million bracing for potential tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service.
The storms have left their trail of destruction across the nation. Close to 730,000 electricity customers have lost power in Missouri, West Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New York as of this evening.
The ferocious weather system, with its clash of warm and cold air, is responsible for generating thunderstorms and hail. According to the weather service, a staggering 39 reports of hail 1-2 inches in diameter have been tallied across Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, and New York.
As night descends upon the cities, the associated dangers persist. In Pittsburgh, a pedestrian has sustained a tragic fate after contracting a downed power line, and the local authorities urge extreme caution for all city-dwellers as they navigate the post-storm landscape.
Notably, Allegheny County Emergency Services reported winds of up to 90 mph, and widespread power outages have blanketed the Pittsburgh area.
The extreme weather of today follows a tumultuous Monday that saw almost 150 storm reports, primarily hailstorms.
Storm-ravaged Minnesota has experienced gale-force winds and hail, leading to downed trees and thousands left without power. Multiple barns and silos were demolished in the southeastern city of Faribault. NBC affiliate KARE of Minneapolis reported that some hail reached sizes of 2 inches in diameter.
By midweek, an estimated 11 million citizens are at risk across Texas, Arkansas, and northern Arkansas, with cities like Little Rock, Fayetteville, and Dallas to remain under the storm's merciless glare.
The storm system predicted to linger over Texas and Oklahoma on Wednesday may bring cooler air to these regions throughout the latter part of the week, effectively pushing out the front. In the southwestern states, there's a moderate risk of flooding on Wednesday, with forecasters anticipating 1 to 3 inches of rainfall per hour, leading to a potential 5 to 8 inches of rain through Thursday morning.
Stay tuned for NOAA and local warnings as the stormy week progresses, and we bid farewell to the spring sunshine for now.
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Enrichment Data:
- Severe Weather Forecast (April 30, 2025, onward):Texas to the Northeast: A mesoscale convective system is active across North Texas and southern Oklahoma as of Wednesday morning, with intensification expected as it moves east. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex faces a Level 3/5 severe storm risk today, including large hail, damaging winds, and isolated tornadoes. Flash flooding is likely in the Red River Valley and parts of Oklahoma.
- Lateral Impact: The recent storms have already led to widespread wind damage (derecho-like impacts) from the Midwest to New York[3], though the immediate storm threat shifts southward on Wednesday. However, repetitive storms across the Plains and Midwest this week may prolong flood risks in these regions[3][4].
- Future Development:
- Thursday–Friday: Additional storms are projected to affect the Atlantic Seaboard and northern Gulf Coast, including West Texas, with renewed risks of hail, strong winds, and localized flooding[3].
- Kentucky Derby (Saturday): While skies may clear for the race, storms are expected in Louisville through Friday, potentially affecting event preparations[1].
- Key Threats:
- Hail: Damaging, teacup-sized hail reported in prior storms[4], with similar risks continuing.
- Flooding: Prolonged rainfall raises risks from Texas to the Great Lakes[3][4].
- Tornadoes: Isolated tornadoes remain possible in Texas and adjoining states[1][3].
Stay updated with NOAA and local advisories for real-time warnings.
- On Wednesday, severe weather forecasts in the US predict a mesoscale convective system in North Texas and southern Oklahoma, with the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex facing a Level 3/5 severe storm risk, including large hail, damaging winds, and isolated tornadoes.
- The historically challenging severe weather season is expected to continue, as flash flooding is likely in the Red River Valley and parts of Oklahoma, accoring to the Severe Weather Forecast for April 30, 2025, and onwards.
- Weather-forecasting reports indicate that additional storms are projected to affect the Atlantic Seaboard and northern Gulf Coast, including West Texas, on Thursday and Friday, with renewed risks of hail, strong winds, and localized flooding.
