Federal weather forecasters issued two unusual “high risk” warnings for severe weather: one near Memphis and one near the border between Iowa and Illinois.
On Friday, numerous tornadoes are expected to occur as a result of a powerful thunderstorm outbreak that will affect more than a dozen states.
The “explosive” storms could endanger 89 million people in at least 15 states, ranging from Texas to Alabama in the South to Wisconsin and Michigan in the north.
The Storm Prediction Center issued two unusual “high risk” zones for severe weather on Friday, one near Memphis and the other on the border between Iowa and Illinois. This is the first high risk the SPC has issued in more than two years.
SPC stated “A significant chunk of the central states are likely to experience a serious severe weather outbreak this afternoon into tonight. Throughout a large area of the Mississippi Valley, long-track, powerful to perhaps violent tornadoes are predicted.”
“This storm has far-reaching ramifications and a number of various weather variables that will wreak havoc, and that’s going to be the main story,” said Bob Larson, senior meteorologist at AccuWeather.
Meanwhile, blizzard conditions were predicted to spread from the Dakotas to northern Michigan due to heavy snowfall and strong winds.
Biden visiting a Mississippi community devastated by a tornado
On Friday, President Joseph Biden will travel to regions that suffered significant tornado devastation last week. Almost 300 homes and businesses in Rolling Fork and the surrounding Silver City, Mississippi, were destroyed, while hundreds more were severely damaged.
First lady Jill Biden and the president will examine tornado damage, speak with impacted homes and first responders, and hear a tactical briefing from federal and state officials.
