Weather Friday May 24 2024 IonWeather Fair in the Northeast much of the weekend

Showers and severe thunderstorms will develop as the front overthe Plains moves onto the Mississippi Valley.  Therefore, the SPC hasissued a Slight Risk (level 2/5) of severe thunderstorms over parts of theWestern Ohio Valley and Middle/Lower Mississippi. The hazards associatedwith these strong to severe thunderstorms are frequent lightning, severethunderstorm wind gusts, hail, and a few tornadoes. However, there will bean added threat of hail, two inches or greater, over parts of the SouthernPlains/Lower Mississippi Valley.Also, on Friday, the threat of excessive rainfall will decrease slightlywith two areas of a Marginal Risk (level 1/4) of excessive rainfall overthe Southern Plains and Lower Mississippi, Tennessee Valleys, and CentralAppalachians and the second over parts of the Upper Mississippi Valley andUpper Great Lakes/Western Ohio Valley. The associated heavy rain willcreate localized areas of flash flooding, affecting areas that experiencerapid runoff with heavy rain. Moreover, showers and severe thunderstorms will develop ahead of adryline over parts of the Central/Southern Plains on Saturday. Therefore,the SPC has issued an Enhanced Risk (level 3/5) of severe thunderstormsover parts of the Central/Southern Plains on Saturday. The hazardsassociated with these thunderstorms are frequent lightning, severethunderstorm wind gusts, hail, and a few tornadoes.The showers and thunderstorms will also produce heavy rain over parts ofthe Central Plains/Middle Mississippi Valley on Saturday. Therefore, theWPC has issued a Slight Risk (level 2/4) of excessive rainfall over partsof the Central Plains/Middle Mississippi Valley. The associated heavy rainwill create mainly localized areas of flash flooding, with urban areas,roads, small streams, and low-lying areas the most vulnerable.Meanwhile, a sub-tropical upper-level high over Mexico will aid inspawning Heat Advisories over southern Texas through Saturday. The ridgingwill create a dangerous early-season heat wave over south Texas, SouthernFlorida, and into the Central Gulf Coast. Record or near-record warmovernight temperatures will provide little to no relief to those withoutadequate or reliable cooling. By this weekend, record daily hightemperatures and heat index readings over 115 degrees over the regionswill also be possible. The heat is expected to continue next week,although some relief may reach the Gulf Coast after Memorial Day with acold front. Check local media and government websites for cooling centerlocations and hours, especially if you encounter or are dealing with aloss of power. If you use a portable generator, do so safely to avoidcarbon monoxide poisoning. Never use a generator inside a house, garage,or other enclosed space!