Potentially Severe Thunderstorms Stretch from the High Plains to Northern New England

As a huge area of high pressure sets nearly stationary over the Appalachians, its western and northern fringes will be the focal point for thunderstorm development as a clash of air masses takes place.

An area of low pressure will be over the Great Lakes today. Its nearly stationary front will be found over the Central Plains to its west and across Ontario, Quebec and northern New England to its east. This feature separates hot, humid air to its south and east from cooler, drier air found in Canada. The collision of air masses will be where thunderstorms bubble up throughout this evening. 

The government’s Storm Prediction Center has issued a Slight Risk for severe thunderstorms for the Central High Plains. This includes the cities of Rapid City, S.D., Aurora, Colo. and Cheyenne, Wyo. The greatest concerns with these thunderstorms will be damaging wind gusts exceeding 50 to 60 mph and hail larger than golfballs. Even a few tornadoes cannot be ruled out.

A large area of a Marginal Risk stretches from the Slight Risk east-northeastward across the Plains, the Great Lakes and finally into Upstate New York and northern New England. While hail and tornadoes are not expected here, damaging wind gusts will still be a concern for residents in cities such as Omaha, Neb., Des Moines, Iowa, Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, Cleveland, Buffalo and Albany, N.Y., Burlington, Vt., and Portland, Maine.

The best way to remain safe is to stay prepared and informed about your local weather. Have a severe weather kit packed with a battery-operated radio, water, and non-perishable food items should you be without power for long periods of time. Also, check the WeatherBug app frequently for any updates on today's severe weather. Remember, "When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!"