Storms to Produce Large Hail in Southern Plains

By Matt Alto, Meteorologist

Apr 9, 2012; 4:00 PM ET

A few powerful thunderstorms capable of producing large damaging hail will erupt over parts of the southern and central Plains later today.
As warm and moist air clashes with dry air along a stationary boundary over the region, these strong thunderstorms will develop late this afternoon and last through the nighttime hours.
Locations from extreme southwestern Kansas, western and central Oklahoma as well as portions of the Texas Panhandle and North Texas will be at risk today and tonight.
The primary threat with these storms is going to be very large hail.
The strongest storms will have the potential to produce hail as large as softballs in the far eastern Texas Panhandle and western Oklahoma. Hail of this magnitude can certainly cause damage to vehicles, roofs and vegetation.

Damaging wind gusts will also be likely from these storms, which could impact several large cities including Oklahoma City and Lawton, Okla., as well as Wichita Falls and even Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas.
In addition to the threat of hail and strong winds, lightning and heavy downpours will accompany each storm.
While the overall threat for tornadoes appears to be low, there is a narrow window of opportunity this evening for an isolated tornado to develop.
The storms will develop across far southern Kansas, northwestern Oklahoma and in the Texas Panhandle late this afternoon. As the storms develop, they will quickly turn severe as they progress southward.

The thunderstorm activity will then spread southeastward into southern Oklahoma and northwestern Texas as they organize into a complex of thunderstorms.
As this complex continues to push to the south and east, the threat for hail will gradually diminish. However, the primary threat will then become strong and damaging winds as the storms continue into tonight.
Residents in many of these areas will likely have to contend with more strong storms through the remainder of the week. Keep checking back with AccuWeather.com for the latest on the severe weather potential.

Storms to Produce Large Hail in Southern Plains