Severe Thunderstorms impacting Southern Plains, Southeast

There have been several tornado warnings in Texas today as thunderstorms capable of producing baseball sized hail are ripping through Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi.  The tornado threat is low but not zero.  As of 612 EDT a tornado warning is up for Pickton, TX. Large hail, strong winds and lightning remain the primary threats.  Via Marcus Diaz @TheTXWxChaser

That type of hail can knock a grown adult out not to mention the damage this will do cars and poorly constructed buildings such as barns.  Here is the Storm Prediction Center thunderstorm outlook

SPC day 1 thunderstorm outlook 

Here is the radar in the Mississippi River Valley/Southern Plains

NWS South Plains regional radar

NWS Southern Mississippi River Valley regional radar 

These storms will progress into Alabama and Georgia tonight. Right now it is heavy rain in Alabama but the severe threat will increase as the cold front moves east.  The warm moist Gulf of Mexico air will continue to clash with the cold Canadian air in the Midwest.  As a result there could be a few tornadoes tonight.  Turn on those severe weather alerts on your cell phone just in case.  Night time tornadoes produced the majority of tornado deaths.  The simulated radar for 4 AM shows a nasty line of thunderstorms bearing down on New Orleans, Mobile and Pensacola.

20z HRRR simulated radar 4 AM EST (image Weatherbell)

The severe weather threat lessens as this cold front pushes offshore tomorrow.

-Zack Green