Wednesday is expected to bring severe weather to three areas in the U.S., with powerful thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts, large hail, and possible tornadoes. Tornado warnings and severe thunderstorm warnings were issued early Tuesday morning in Florida, and those thunderstorms are expected to continue throughout the day. A severe thunderstorm watch was issued for central and northern Florida, which was replaced by a Severe Thunderstorm Watch covering nearly 10.5 million people until 5 p.m. ET, including cities such as Orlando, Tampa, and Daytona Beach.
Another Severe Thunderstorm Watch was issued in South Carolina and North Carolina, affecting about 6.6 million people. Cities in this watch area include Myrtle Beach, Columbia, and Charlotte, and it is in effect until 8 p.m. ET. The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center highlighted two areas of concern on the East Coast for powerful thunderstorms to develop on Wednesday, including parts of Florida and the Carolinas. These areas will be at risk of damaging wind gusts, hail, and possible tornadoes.
In Florida, severe thunderstorms will be possible across the peninsula, from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean, and cities like Daytona Beach, Orlando, and Tampa are included in a Level 2 out of 5 risk on the severe thunderstorm risk scale. Portions of the Carolinas are also at a higher risk of severe weather, with areas in Northern South Carolina and central and eastern North Carolina included in a Level 2 out of 5 risk. The threat of twisters is higher across Central Florida, but the risk of damaging wind gusts and hail also exists in these areas.
Parts of the Plains in the central U.S. are also at risk of powerful thunderstorms on Wednesday, with the risk stretching from Texas to Nebraska. Northwestern Texas, western and northern Oklahoma, and southern Kansas are in a Level 3 out of 5 risk for severe weather, affecting about 1 million people in cities like Amarillo and Enid. Storms that develop in these areas could produce large hail, damaging wind gusts, and tornadoes, in addition to deadly lightning.
The severe weather on Wednesday is expected to bring potential damage and danger to the highlighted areas, with the possibility of tornadoes, damaging wind gusts, large hail, and deadly lightning. Residents in the affected regions are urged to stay informed of weather updates and take necessary precautions to protect themselves and their property. The Storm Prediction Center will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed to ensure the safety of those in the path of the severe weather.
