Powerful Storm to Bring Severe Weather Threats from Tornadoes to Flooding This Week

An intense storm system is forecast to track across the Central United States early this week, bringing a myriad of impactful weather hazards from the Plains to the Gulf Coast region. While heavy snowfall is expected across parts of the Plains, severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes are likely along coastal areas of Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi.

Meteorologists are warning residents across the Gulf Coast to prepare for the arrival of severe weather Monday through Tuesday as a surge of warm, humid air from the Gulf of Mexico clashes with much colder air associated with the advancing storm system. This clash of air masses will create an unstable atmosphere ripe for thunderstorm development.

Forecast models indicate the storm's centre will track from the South Central states into the Mississippi Valley on Monday. Bands of heavy rain and embedded thunderstorms are expected to develop and sweep through Texas during the day on Monday from Dallas and Austin eastward toward the Gulf Coast. Torrential downpours and damaging wind gusts are likely with some of these storms.

By Monday evening, the focus for severe weather is expected to shift eastward into Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle as storms organize near the Gulf Coast. Meteorologists say the atmospheric ingredients will be favourable for thunderstorm development during the overnight hours. These nocturnal storms often produce tornadoes that go undetected in darkness.

The highest risk for tornadoes appears to be across northeastern Texas, Louisiana and central Mississippi, where wind shear profiles support rotating supercell thunderstorms. The clash between warm, humid air surging northward and much colder air to the north will create an unstable atmosphere with plenty of energy for severe storms.