Following a night of severe storms that brought tornadoes, damaging wind gusts, large hail, and heavy rain across parts of the Central US, the severe storm threat is now heading towards more populated areas in the East on Tuesday. Nearly 100 million people from Texas to Pennsylvania are under a severe storm threat, with the Ohio Valley expected to experience the worst of the storms, according to the Storm Prediction Center.
The strongest threat, rated at level 3 out of 5, covers most of Indiana, northern Kentucky, and western Ohio. Cities in this high-risk area include Indianapolis, Columbus, Cincinnati in Ohio, and Lexington in Kentucky. The Storm Prediction Center warns of the potential for strong tornadoes, large to very large hail, and severe/damaging winds in this region.
Surrounding this high-risk area is a less severe threat, rated at level 2 out of 5, stretching from the northeastern tip of Arkansas to southern Michigan, including cities like Chicago and Nashville. Isolated tornadoes, large hail, and damaging wind gusts are possible in this region as well.
A broader area extending from Texas to Wisconsin and east into Pennsylvania is under a low risk, rated at level 1 out of 5, for severe storms, including hail and strong winds. Cities in this area that may be affected include Dallas, Austin, Detroit, Memphis, Birmingham, Charlotte, and Pittsburgh.
Looking ahead to Wednesday, the storms are forecasted to continue soaking the East from the southern Plains into the mid-Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee valleys. The Storm Prediction Center anticipates that all severe hazards, such as tornadoes, very large hail, and severe/damaging winds, could occur, with the possibility of some strong tornadoes.
