The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center (SPC) predicts an increased danger of tornadoes in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, West Virginia, Mississippi, and Alabama today.
The cause of today’s severe weather threat is an upper-level low centered this morning over Minnesota and Wisconsin, with broad cyclonic flow throughout much of the eastern United States. According to the SPC, many thunderstorm clusters are active this morning from east Texas to Georgia, with the possibility of occasional gusty gusts.
“A few hours of sunshine may be sufficient for intensification of one or more of these clusters, with damaging wind being the main concern,” says the SPC in their latest Convective Outlook.
A similar pattern exists this morning along a cold front extending from northwest Ohio into Illinois. Scattered heavy thunderstorms may form anywhere along the front, from central Pennsylvania to Southeast Missouri. According to the SPC, atmospheric forcing is minimal, therefore most storms will remain disorganized. However, the biggest storms will bring with them the possibility of locally severe wind gusts and isolated tornadoes.
Yesterday was an active day, with substantial severe weather. According to the SPC, there were five tornadoes, 154 reports of destructive wind, and 84 reports of damaging hail.