AUSTIN (KXAN) — The past 72 hours have been one of the most active severe weather outbreaks in recent years. There are thousands of storm reports ranging from wind damage to deadly tornadoes across the lower 48.
The Storm Prediction Center, a branch of the National Weather Service, issued a level 5/5 ‘high’ risk for Mississippi and Alabama on Saturday, which resulted in multiple long-track tornadoes, damaging winds, large hail, and flash-flooding. On Friday, a level 4/5 ‘moderate risk’ was issued for portions of the Northern Plains and Midwest.
March is usually when the severe weather season begins to ramp up, and this forecast will cover the current severe weather along the east coast and break down the next week ahead.
This national forecast covers the period from March 16 to March 23.
Overview: A good part of the nation is recovering from multiple severe weather outbreaks, and weather conditions are fairly quiet across the next several days. Our next weather maker is currently bringing rain and mountain snow to the west coast. This storm system will arrive mid-week across the Plains, and will deliver snow, heavy rain, and gusty winds.
At the upper levels, winds will be ripping out of the west in the Southern Plains on Tuesday and Wednesday.
At the surface, winds could gust over 50 mph. This air will be very dry, which will lead to critical wildfire conditions.
Temperatures will be ‘near normal’ or ‘warmer than normal’ 6-10 days out from now for most of the lower 48.
The east coast will likely see ‘wetter than normal’ trends with a drier trend likely for the Southwest.
