The Central Plains will have the possibility of severe weather this week. Severe storms have shifted to the second half of the week, compared to the last 4 weeks when severe weather was more dominant during the first halves.

We have a series of storms that will be pushing in from the Pacific Northwest. But with a strong high pressure setting up camp over the western U.S. we do not expect these storms to move past the Ohio River Valley. Most of the storms will be pushing northward passing over the Great Lakes area through the end of the week, as they lose the potential for severe weather.

The high pressure will pump the moisture and heat over the Central Plains, while the storms will push in drier and cooler air. The chance for severe storms will increase in areas where these two different air masses collide.

On Thursday, a stronger low-pressure system exits the Rockies and the chance for isolated to scattered severe storms will be mainly focused over Kansas, with some isolated severe storms that could affect southern Nebraska through northwestern Missouri and northern Oklahoma. The threat will also become heightened during the late afternoon into the evening hours once enough heat is gained by the atmosphere and most instability is present.

The strongest storm arrives in the Central Plains on Friday. A system that will bring messy weather to the Pacific Northwest on Thursday, varying from strong winds, and mixed precipitation to snow across the highest mountains, will cross the Rockies and bring the threat of isolated to scattered severe storms over a much larger area of the Central Plains. Residents and visitors extending from the Texas Panhandle northward to South Dakota to Minnesota and western Iowa should remain vigilant throughout the afternoon and evening hours, as storms will pick up in intensity.

Lubbock, Tx., Lincoln Ne., to Sioux Fall S.D., and Sioux City, Ia., could experience late afternoon and evening storms, producing damaging winds, hail, and a couple of tornadoes.

We will be closely monitoring this series of storms throughout the week and keep you updated with any changes to the timing or forecast. Make sure to have notifications turned on your phone and on our app to get alerted as soon as a warning is issued.