CNN
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Two major storm systems threaten the United States this week.
A large, multi-hazard storm swept across the country eastward on Tuesday, affecting much of the central and eastern United States, threatening the South with powerful tornadoes and flooding, and wiping parts of the plains and Midwest with ice and snow. threatened.
and as California recover from a weekend of deadly floodsA second storm system is coming ashore, threatening the state with powerful winds and further flooding, caused by both the expected rainfall and the state’s already wet soil.
“Huge winds and rain are expected tomorrow through Thursday. Prepare now for floods, fallen trees, and power outages,” says the San Francisco National Weather Service. warned.
Meanwhile, an eastward-going storm system is drawing moisture south from the Gulf of Mexico, where higher-than-normal temperatures set the stage for severe thunderstorms.
By Tuesday evening, several areas were reporting record high temperatures.Tie in Mobile, Alabama daily maximum temperature The highest temperature on January 3 was 79 degrees Fahrenheit, a record set in 1989. In Pensacola, Florida, beat the high of the day The highest temperature on January 3 was 81 degrees Fahrenheit, above the 79 degrees recorded three years ago.
Nearly 30 million people face some severe weather threat in the South, with the highest risk near the Gulf Coast. Southern Mississippi and Alabama had a 3 out of 5 ‘enhanced’ risk of severe weather. Locations like Montgomery, Mobile, and Tuscaloosa can all experience strong storms. New Orleans, Atlanta, Birmingham and Baton Rouge were at a ‘minor’ risk of severe weather at 2 out of 5.
Tuesday evening weather service Said It was monitoring two areas of thunderstorms that posed wind and hail threats to the New Orleans area.
Tornado sightings covered much of southern Alabama and Georgia Tuesday night, with more storms hitting Louisiana and Mississippi.
The Storm Prediction Center warns that the region could experience multiple waves of severe weather throughout the day, with “risk expected to continue into the night for much of the region.”
Track Storm: Radar, weather alerts, travel delays, etc.
The most extreme thunderstorms can produce powerful tornadoes, massive hail, and wind gusts of over 70 miles per hour.
“Severe convection is likely in all three modes (tornadoes, hail and destructive winds),” Mobile’s National Weather Service warned.
The heavy rains associated with these thunderstorms can also cause large flash floods in the south. Southern Alabama and western Georgia are below his 3 out of 4 “moderate” range for excessive rainfall risk. Parts of southeastern Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia also have extreme rainfall risk below the 2 out of 4 “minor” level.
Total precipitation could reach 2 to 4 inches across the South by Wednesday, but could be up to 6 inches in some areas.
There have already been reports of multiple tornadoes since Monday night. One reported tornado occurred in Jonesboro, Louisiana, knocking over and damaging large trees. Another was reported in Heywood, Tennessee.
Tornado damage was also reported in Jesseville, Arkansas. The National Weather Service confirmed that the area had an EF-1 tornado that caused damage to several homes in the town and a local school building.
“Part of the school was damaged by trees and power lines. The school was currently in school at the time, but all students were reported and no injuries were reported.” Garland County Sheriff’s Office mentioned in the release.
In the Parish of Jackson, Louisiana, residents were told to stay off the roads after bad weather knocked down trees and flooded the roads. The Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Department said it would distribute tarps to those whose homes were damaged.
“We are working to get to homes that have been damaged and have clean roads,” the Sheriff’s Department said.
Amid continuing risks, weather forecasters are concerned about tornadoes forming at night, said Brad Bryant of the National Weather Service in Shreveport, Louisiana.
“You can’t see them coming. A lot of the time people are sleeping and not paying attention to the weather,” Bryant said. “Most areas around here have poor cell phone coverage, making storm warnings less effective, especially when people are asleep.”
Anyone in a tornado-prone area should seek safe shelter immediately, Bryant said.
“If you wait for a warning, it’s too late,” Bryant said Monday. “We need to have a safe evacuation plan in advance of these storms.”
Damage reports were also received from northern Louisiana, including multiple power pylons damaged in the Haile community of Marion. One of the towers collapsed and several others were damaged, according to Shreveport’s National Weather Service.
An 81 mph gust was reported in Adare, Oklahoma. This is a gust equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane.
As the South prepares for floods and tornadoes, storms Snow, sleet and freezing rain brought snow, sleet and freezing rain to the plains and Upper Midwest on Tuesday, greatly impacting travel.
more than 15 million people under winter weather warnings from Plains to the Great Lakes.
Parts of Minnesota saw at least 10 inches of snow, while parts of Nebraska and South Dakota recorded over a foot of snow by Tuesday night. South Dakota’s Andes Lakes recorded 27 inches of snow by the evening. weather service.
The road north of Interstate 80 in Omaha, Nebraska, was partially covered in ice and snow, according to the Weather Service. Saidadded that “things get worse as we get closer to South Dakota.”
Sioux Falls Weather Service I have written Snowfall eased Tuesday evening, but parts of southeastern South Dakota and northwestern Iowa could see an additional 2 inches of snow, while parts of Minnesota could see up to 4 inches more. I was.
“While wind speeds have weakened from previous forecasts, snowstorms and snow drifts continue to be a problem, especially in rural areas,” the Japan Meteorological Agency said. “Many roads are drifting and multiple vehicles are stranded.”
In Wyoming, where weather has closed some highways, transportation officials warned Since the roads have started to reopen, residents should be careful of black ice and blizzards and snow drifts.
Weather forecasters advised anyone who needed to be outside during a storm to exercise caution.A winter emergency kit for your car includes snacks and water, a battery-powered weather radio, a flashlight and batteries, and a first-aid kit. , shovels and ice scrapers, jumper cables, other items.
