All threats present - Ohio & Tennessee valleys in the bullseye

After a deadly night across Texas and Oklahoma, with 24 tornado reports happening across Texas, Oklahoma, northern Arkansas, and southern Missouri, severe storms moved eastward on Sunday, putting around 20 million people at risk of numerous storms and several tornadoes.

Sunday morning is an active one across southern Illinois and western Kentucky where there is a tornado watch in effect at least until 10 a.m. CT. Severe storms are moving in from the west and we forecast them to gain more terrain and strength later this afternoon once the low-pressure system and fronts inch closer and over the Great Plains and Ohio River Valley.

The low-pressure system is a slow move as it will merge with a larger system passing over the Great Lakes area late on Monday. Therefore, the rain will be heavy and constant for at least 24 hours over Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, southern Illinois, and Tennessee, putting over 8.5 million people at risk of floods. Some areas could receive over 3 inches of rain, with some isolated spots receiving over 5 inches. Excessive runoff could flood rivers, creeks, and streams. Please make sure to follow the authorities’ orders if you are or live near a river.

The severe storm threat continues Sunday, with much of the Ohio Valley under an enhanced risk, level 3 of 5 on the severity scale. After the day’s heating and with plenty of moisture in the atmosphere, severe storms will fire up in the afternoon into the evening. Be aware that all threats are present today; damaging winds of at least 75 mph, large hail, and a few strong tornadoes.

On Monday, the system slowly migrates eastward. Across the Mid-Atlantic, the storms will arrive late in the afternoon into the night. The main threats will be damaging winds and hail. There is also the risk of severe storms across the Gulf States as a dragging front combined with deep moisture and plenty of heat will increase the storm potential which mostly includes the potential for very strong winds.

We will bring you prompt updates, and we have our weather reporter Jonathan Petramala on location in the enhanced risk and will bring you updates.