Severe weather predicted along US east coast with PA, DC, and Carolinas at grave thunderstorm risk
NORMAN, OKLAHOMA: Millions of people along the east coast of the United States are at risk of severe weather, including destructive winds, hail, and even isolated tornadoes. At 6 pm on Saturday, April 22, a severe thunderstorm warning was issued for the Interstate 95 corridor from Baltimore to Raleigh, North Carolina.
The extreme weather may be traced back to a cold front that began in the plains and storms that erupted from the Midwest to Texas. At least three people died as a result of the storms in Cole, Oklahoma, and on Wednesday night, April 19, several tornadoes struck Oklahoma City. Central Oklahoma, Kansas, southeast Nebraska, and western Iowa were all hit by numerous tornadoes, as reported by CBS.
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On Thursday, April 20, severe weather from Chicagoland to Texas caused wind and huge hail damage primarily, with a brief tornado near Tyler, Texas, causing some additional damage. In advance of a cold front on Saturday, heavy thunderstorms were expected from the mid-Atlantic to Florida, as per reports.
Storm Prediction Center issues crucial warning
After the front moves offshore, which is anticipated to happen after dark, the chance of severe weather will diminish. However, there is still a chance of hail, strong gusts, and lone tornadoes. The Storm Prediction Center issued a 70 mph wind gust warning and potential for hail up to an inch across. From Philadelphia to the southeast of Pennsylvania, through Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia, and down to the beaches of North and South Carolina, there will be a chance for severe thunderstorms.
Huge hail is also possible in central Texas, particularly the Edwards Plateau regions west of I-35, including Fredericksburg, Texas, as reported by DailyMail.
'Large hail could be a threat'
People who live in the impacted areas should be alert to the possibility of enormous hail, destructive winds, and wind gusts reaching 60 mph, even if the probability of tornadoes is much lower than in recent days. FOX Weather meteorologist Stephen Morgan said, "This is going to mostly be for the afternoon into the evening hours. Large hail could be a threat, and damaging winds will also be a possibility. So, let's not be surprised if we do see some hail associated with this storm. And this does include the Outer Banks of North Carolina."