Prepare for Saturday’s Severe Weather: What the ‘High Risk’ Designation Means for You

ATLANTA (AP) — A powerful storm system is set to hit parts of the South this weekend, raising concerns of severe weather, including tornadoes and large hail. This situation is serious enough that forecasters have marked Saturday as a "high risk" day for severe weather.

On Friday, regions in Missouri, Iowa, and Illinois experienced extreme weather, and Saturday’s focus will shift to southern states like Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. The federal Storm Prediction Center warns that we can expect numerous significant tornadoes, with some possibly being long-tracked and very violent.

The Storm Prediction Center categorizes severe weather risks using a color-coded system. Areas with the highest risk are marked in magenta. For Saturday, parts of Mississippi and Alabama fall within this most dangerous classification. This high-risk warning typically signals the likelihood of “numerous intense and long-tracked tornadoes” or thunderstorms with hurricane-strength winds.

Historically, when the Storm Prediction Center has issued "high risk" warnings, they often come true. Take, for example, the outbreak in May 2024. The Center correctly predicted that Kansas and Oklahoma were at high risk, which led to a devastating series of tornadoes affecting many communities, including a strong twister that hit Barnsdall, Oklahoma, leaving homes in ruins and residents in urgent need of rescue.

In March 2023, the Mississippi River Valley also faced significant tornado threats. Following a high-risk alert, multiple tornadoes struck, causing a tragic roof collapse during a concert in Illinois, which resulted in one death and numerous injuries.

This unpredictable weather pattern isn’t just dangerous but also raises a few questions among experts. Meteorologists emphasize the importance of community preparedness. According to a 2022 survey by the National Weather Service, 70% of people in at-risk areas do not have a plan in place for severe weather. This underscores the critical need for awareness and action, especially during high-risk forecasts.

As tornado activity continues to pose serious threats across the regions, staying informed and prepared is essential. For more details and updates, visit the National Weather Service or the Storm Prediction Center.

Source link

Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Weather, Storms, Tornadoes, Building collapses, General news, IL State Wire, GA State Wire, LA State Wire, KY State Wire, MS State Wire, TN State Wire, MO State Wire, AR State Wire, AL State Wire, IA State Wire, Accidents, U.S. news, Climate and environment, Climate