Severe Weather

There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms across the northern and central Plains to the lower and middle MO valley. A few clusters of thunderstorms are ongoing this morning across the central Plains and much of the Midwest. These storms will continue to propagate east-northeastward into the afternoon and will have the possibility of producing damaging winds. Thunderstorm development is anticipated across central SD/west-central NE and central/northern KS during the afternoon with the threat of damaging winds, large hail, and a tornado or two, especially across central and northern KS. Scattered thunderstorms will develop across the southern Plains and across eastern MT into the Dakotas during the afternoon and evening.

Tropical Weather

Hurricane Earl is approximately 780 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, NC and is moving toward the northwest at 16 mph. The center of Earl will be passing well east and northeast of the Bahamas today and tonight. Earl is a category three hurricane and some fluctuations in strength are possible during the next 48 hours. Tropical Storm Fiona is approximately 145 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands and is moving toward the west-northwest at 15 mph. The center of Fiona should pass near or just north of the northernmost Leeward Islands later this morning and afternoon. Fiona is expected to strengthen slightly during the next 24 hours followed by little change in intensity after that. 

Thursday

Severe Weather

There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms across parts of the south-central Plains into portions of the upper MS valley. Strong to severe thunderstorms are anticipated across eastern IA and northern IL northeastward into the Great Lakes during the afternoon. To the southwest, thunderstorms are expected to develop across western/northern OK and southern/eastern KS during the afternoon with the possibility of producing damaging winds. These storms will most likely evolve into a line by the evening and propagate southeastward overnight.

Excessive Rainfall

There is a slight risk of flash flooding across eastern NC.