National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Tracking Two Storms Impacting the Northern U.S. Through Thanksgiving and into This Weekend

Heavy lake effect snow, gusty winds, and localized blizzard conditions will persist through Thanksgiving near and downwind of the Great Lakes. Rain and mountain snow are forecast for the Pacific Northwest. Confidence is increasing for another winter storm to develop over the northern and central Rockies Friday and track across the central Plains through the Midwest and Great Lakes this weekend. Read More >

 

Severe storms are expected to affect much of the area overnight with tornadoes, large hail, damaging winds, and cloud-to-ground lightning possible. Ensure wireless emergency alerts are enabled on your cell phone. If you have a NOAA Weather Radio, set it to alert mode so you can be awakened if a warning is issued.

Severe weather that occurs overnight can increase personal vulnerability and have significant potential impact on the public. This is due to:

  - Public is less likely to receive warnings overnight as many people are asleep.

  - Tornadoes are much more difficult to spot at night.

  - People who are inside vulnerable housing/building structures such as mobile homes.

  - Nighttime tornadoes are more likely to cause fatalities than daytime tornadoes.

  - People often are less aware of severe storm potential in the winter season.

Stay tuned to the National Weather Service for the latest information. Have a plan of action in place and ready to go if severe weather threatens or a warning is issued. More tornado safety information can be found at this link.