Widespread Severe Weather Event Expected This Evening through Saturday 4/9-4/10
Written by Dustin Maddox, Meteorologist
Last updated 4/9/2021, 4:18:15 PM
A large and intense Spring storm system will bring widespread severe weather to the Lower Mississippi Valley and Southeast states this evening, overnight, and into Saturday. A very large path of damaging straight line winds is the primary concern, but hail (very large in some storms) and isolated tornadoes will also be possible.
The Storm Prediction Center has issued a Moderate Risk (Level 4 out of 5) shown below in Red, for far Northeast Texas, Southern Arkansas, Northern Louisiana, Central and Southern Mississippi and Western Alabama. An Enhanced Risk (Level 3 out of 5) surrounds it in Orange below. And a Slight Risk (Level 2 out of 5) shown below in Yellow for cities such as Dallas, Oklahoma City, Springfield, and Memphis, as well as for portions of North Carolina and Virginia.
Several rounds of Severe Weather is expected, with a damaging squall line associated with an MCS (Mesoscale Convective System) developing overnight. Winds at or over Hurricane Force will be possible. There also is the potential for isolated supercell development ahead of the line which could produce tornadoes (perhaps 1 or 2 strong) for areas of Mississippi and Alabama. Further west, a dryline will approach the Oklahoma City and Dallas area this evening, and if the cap is able to break, 2 or 3 supercells may form and could drop very large hailstones.
The severe weather is expected to continue into early Saturday morning and through the afternoon for Alabama, Mississippi, and the northern Gulf Coast with widespread damaging winds, but isolated tornadoes and some hail could occur as well. The Storm Prediction Center has issued an Enhanced Risk (Level 3 out of 5) for Saturday. Calmer conditions are expected by Sunday as high pressure builds into the area.
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