FRIDAY UPDATES: Read the latest weather news here.
AccuWeather warned that the massive collision of cold and warm air extending from Ohio and Virginia down into Texas could produce a “fantastic” storm with heavy snow in the north and severe thunderstorms and possibly tornadoes in the south.
About 35 million people live in places where severe thunderstorms (including tornadoes) are possible Thursday afternoon and evening, the Storm Prediction Center said. A tornado watch has been issued for parts of Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas, including the entire Dallas metro area.
The storm comes on the heels of a wave of devastating weather that swept most parts of the country for several days.
“It appears another chance for severe weather will arrive across the Mid-South late tonight and into the early morning hours on Friday,” the National Weather Service said in a warning Thursday. “This second shot of severe weather looks much stronger… All severe weather patterns will be possible, especially heavy rainfall.
Elsewhere, heavy snow hit the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies on Thursday before wintry weather moved toward the upper Midwest and into the Northeast on Friday, according to the National Weather Service.
Developing:
► A flood watch also extended from Oklahoma to Indiana with rain falling over parts of the Southeast.
►Parts of Arkansas face a “significant” threat late Thursday. Tornadoes, widespread damaging winds and hail are all possible, the weather service said.
► Some Californians may expect freezing temperatures and even winter storm conditions later this week.
What is thunder? Explain how a thunderstorm can produce snow
What is a flash flood watch or warning? Here's what to know about this deadly weather threat
Thunderstorms may produce tornadoes in the south
At a time when many Southeastern states face the highest tornado threat, a tornado touched down south of Shreveport, Louisiana, on Thursday evening.
The tornado activity lasted about 30 seconds and caused damage throughout the area around 5:30 p.m., according to the center. Shreveport Times. Reported affected areas include around Louisiana State University in Shreveport, a Valero gas station and a Kroger grocery.
In addition, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, and western parts of Alabama and Tennessee are expected to see damaging winds and possible tornado activity.
Meanwhile, the same clash of cold and warm air that will bring heavy snow in the upper Midwest and Northeast is also expected to bring severe thunderstorms across the South, according to AccuWeather.
A powerful storm system Thursday is forecast to bring heavy rain, damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes to areas from Texas to Ohio, the National Weather Service forecast.
The threat of severe thunderstorms continues Friday as the storm moves into the Ohio Valley, according to an AccuWeather forecast.
Snow in Texas, Maine
The system that hit the Midwest earlier in the week is expected to drop 4-8 inches of snow across parts of Maine on Thursday. A new system that brought severe weather and heavy rain to the Southern Tier states was responsible for snowfall in parts of Texas.
“It's already snowing here,” the city's weather service office said. El Paso tweeted Thursday, warning that low visibility creates dangerous driving conditions.
The front will rise north on Friday and a band of moderate to heavy snow will spread from northern Illinois to the New England coast. Snowfall totals will likely reach 6-10 inches with locally higher amounts over higher terrain in the Northeast, the weather service said.
Californians are facing more extreme cold and heavy snow
Heavy snowfall has closed national parks in California, including… Joshua Tree National Park And Yosemite National Park. More than 75,000 California households remained without power Thursday morning.
Parts of Northern California are also expecting a winter storm watch over the weekend, with heavy snow possible at elevations above 1,000 feet. Up to 2 feet of snow could fall in some of the higher hills, according to the National Weather Service in Eureka, California. Officials warned that travel could be “almost impossible” along mountain roads.
Possibility of floods in the south
A flood watch was in effect Thursday for the Southeast and parts of the Midwest, impacting areas
Thunderstorms are expected to bring heavy rain to the area on Thursday. But “prolonged” showers may lead to this The National Weather Service warned of up to 4 inches of rain in some areas from Thursday night into Friday morning, especially north of Interstate 40.
Officials said the rain could cause flash floods, and people living in “flood-prone” areas should be prepared to take necessary measures.
frost vs. Freezing rain:What is the difference?
Tornado watch or worse warning? What do you know about preparing for these violent storms?
Winter storm tracking
National weather radar
