Recently, much of the central U.S. has once again been cooking under the heat, but relief is on the horizon. Today, we'll discuss the cold fronts that will make their way east, along with the accompanying severe weather threat.
As of this writing, a cold front is draped across the central Plains, bringing cooler air to the north while severe weather develops along the boundary between the two air masses.
Today's Severe Weather Threat.
The Storm Prediction Center has placed portions of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri under a Slight Risk of severe weather. These storms will bring a variety of threats, including damaging wind gusts, hail, and tornadoes early on, with flooding becoming a greater concern later.
Kansas Tornado Risk.
The greatest tornado threat appears to be in an area between McPherson, Wichita, and Kingman, Kansas. A tornado or two cannot be ruled out in this region, so those in the area should remain weather-aware throughout the day.
Severe Weather Risk for Wednesday, October 14.
As we head into tomorrow, the 14th, the cold front will slowly push southward, bringing temperatures down from the 90s into the 70s across areas stretching from northern Oklahoma to northern Missouri. As the front continues south, the threat of severe weather will persist. However, tomorrow's threat is expected to be lower than today's, with damaging winds and flooding being the primary concerns.
Cold Front has Retreated by Thursday Afternoon.
By Thursday, the cold front will likely retreat slightly northward, allowing warmer temperatures to briefly return before a second, more significant push of cold air arrives.
Cold Front's Position by Friday
By Friday, the second cold front will have made considerable progress southward, bringing afternoon highs into the 50s across much of Oklahoma and Missouri, with portions of northern Missouri potentially staying in the 40s. The cooler air will extend well beyond Oklahoma, with some areas of Central Texas near San Antonio potentially struggling to reach the 70-degree mark.
Cold Front by Saturday, Depicting Northeast Near Freezing Temps.
The front will likely continue pushing southeastward on Saturday, bringing the cooler temperatures down to the Gulf Coast. Much of the region could see temperatures fall from the upper 80s into the mid to upper 70s. Meanwhile, parts of New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine could remain in the 30s for most of the day, with some areas potentially seeing their first snowfall of the season.
Warmer Temperatures Returning For the South-Central U.S.
Behind this cold front, temperatures will eventually begin to recover before another push of cooler air arrives. While the warmth may return briefly, the pattern suggests that the central and eastern U.S. will have more opportunities to cool down as we move further into October.
And with that, I'll wrap up. Thanks for reading and I'll catch you next time!