Forecasters are predicting a “dangerous severe weather outbreak” could put more than 100 million Americans across 17 states at risk this week.
Severe thunderstorms will erupt each day through Thursday across parts of the southern U.S., with the greatest threat and potential for tornadoes Wednesday, lasting well into the nighttime hours, and Thursday, reports AccuWeather.
"All facets of severe weather ranging from large hail and flash flooding to damaging straight-line wind gusts and tornadoes can occur from Wednesday through Thursday evening in what is likely to evolve into a significant severe thunderstorm and tornado outbreak."
Chief Meteorologist Bernie Rayno thinks the highest tornado threat will occur on both Wednesday and Thursday. “Severe weather will be lingering long after sunset over the next few nights,” explained Rayno.
More from Accuweather:
"States at risk for severe weather, including at least isolated tornadoes, are Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. The threat may expand to portions of West Virginia and Ohio as well.
"Even outside of tornadoes, AccuWeather Local StormMax™ wind gusts of 70 mph can occur in the strongest storms during on Thursday. Gusts could be even stronger, with an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 80 mph expected in storms on Wednesday and Wednesday night."
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered necessary resources to be placed on standby ahead of the storms.
“With heavy rain, high winds, and blizzard conditions expected in parts of the state overnight, Texas should be cautious of flood risks and potential damage from this weather event,” Abbott said in a press release.
Tornadoes are also a concern to meteorologists. On Wednesday, a tornado was reportedly spotted in western Oklahoma.
The threat of severe weather will shift east of these cities, but the potential for large and long-lived tornadoes is expected to increase, according to AccuWeather.
“It is possible that the period from Wednesday afternoon to Wednesday night brings a significant number of tornadoes and may be the biggest period for tornadoes of the multiple day severe weather outbreak,” Meteorologist Matt Benz stated.
Main Image Credit: Jason Weingart Photography (Illustrative)