Severe weather season in the Big Country continues with more potential for storms
ABILENE, Texas (BCH Weather) – As we close out the month of April, we are beginning to transition from the spring season to summer. May is when we typically see temperatures near 100 degrees and when we see our first 100-degree day of the year.
However, one season that isn’t going away just yet is severe weather season. Unfortunately, we are just getting started here across the Big Country and the plains region.
Just this past weekend, several severe thunderstorms roared across the area with one severe storm producing a life-threatening tornado in Knox County.
GALLERY: Knox City residents share their experience of ‘very scary’ tornado
As of 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Norman, Oklahoma has a survey crew on the ground in Knox County, gathering information from the tornado path and damage. More information is expected to be sent out later on.
We had a short break from severe weather these past couple of days but, there are more storms on the way for Tuesday evening. The good news is that storm potential is a marginal risk (level 1 out of 5).
Storm coverage is expected to be isolated-to-scattered Tuesday evening, so not everyone will see storm activity. Wednesday, on the other hand, will be a more active day as far as storm coverage and intensity to kick off the month of May.
The Storm Prediction Center already has a slight risk issued (level 2 out of 5) for most of the Big Country. The threat for large hail will be the main concern, along with damaging winds and heavy rainfall leading to flooding in low lying areas.
Here is the latest Day 2 Severe Outlook:
Strong heating will occur near the dryline, where an uncapped and very unstable air mass will develop with mid-level CAPE of 3000-3500 J/kg. Most model guidance suggests appreciable convective development will occur in West Texas ahead of and near the dry line.
The ample amount of buoyancy in the atmosphere, coupled with numerous storms, should yield a mixed cluster and slow-moving supercell mode. Large-to-significant severe hail and sporadic severe wind gusts will be possible.
The potential will exist for upper-level growth into the slow-moving clusters that move east into central parts of Texas during the evening, and likely linger overnight with a gradually weakening severe threat during these time frames.
Make sure you have multiple ways to receive updates regarding severe weather potential over the next several days as severe weather season marches ahead.
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