Folks in the threat area should take the situation very seriously. By Bill Deger, Meteorologist
Apr 15, 2012; 6:58 AM ET
A life-threatening situation will continue into tonight from Upper Midwest to the Mississippi River Valley as tornadic-thunderstorms continue to organize.Madison, Wis., and Cedar Rapids, Iowa lie in the heart of the tornado threat area that extends from central Wisconsin to central Iowa.
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The potential for additional tornadoes exists into tonight as powerful winds aloft and daytime heating help fuel severe thunderstorms. Storms that produced multiple tornadoes on Saturday will re-ignite over the next few hours.
Some of the tornadoes could be very strong and remain on the ground for miles.
Dangerous Setup for Storms
AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Meghan Evans first warned of the threat for tornadoes earlier in the week, saying, "The ingredients for a tornado outbreak may come together across portions of the Plains later Saturday and Sunday"
A powerful storm that slammed into the West earlier this week is ejecting northeastward through the Plains.
The storm system, combined with a strong rush of wind aloft via the jet stream and a warm, moisture-rich air mass in place originating from the Gulf of Mexico will spark powerful thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes into tonight.
The difference in wind direction well up in the atmosphere (from the west) and at the surface (from the south) will enhance the threat for tornadoes.
The thunderstorms that will spawn the tornadoes will also drop large, damaging hail to the size of softballs, and could produce powerful wind gusts in excess of 60 mph without the help of a funnel.
Timing
Numerous tornadoes were spawned across the Plains Saturday afternoon and overnight, but as the storm system tracks eastward, more thunderstorms capable of producing damaging tornadoes will fire late this afternoon and this evening.
The greatest risk for tornadoes will be across southern Wisconsin, eastern Iowa and western Illinois through this evening, though any location in the Upper Midwest will have the potential for tornadoes.
If you are traveling and a potential tornado is approaching, be prepared to abandon your vehicle and seek safe shelter. Better yet, stay off the roads if you hear that thunderstorms are approaching.
Because of the threat, it is imperative that you keep up to date with the weather situation over the next several days, especially into tonight. Have a plan of action before the storms develop.
Immediately head to the basement or a storm shelter if a warning is issued. Mobile homes and trailers should always be evacuated, as well.
Knowing ahead of time what to do in the event of a tornado or strong thunderstorm could save your life.
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