Rounds of severe weather to threaten central US into Monday

By Kristina Pydynowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

May 13, 2018, 4:33:28 PM EDT

Residents across several parts of the central United States will have to remain alert for potentially damaging thunderstorms into Monday.

Three separate severe weather events are expected to ignite along the corridor from western Texas to Iowa and northern Illinois with the first erupting late Sunday.

Each event has the potential to endanger lives and property. Even in the absence of severe weather, anyone outdoors during a thunderstorm is at risk of being struck by lightning.

Severe storms to end the weekend in southern Plains

This weekend will come to a close with severe thunderstorms igniting from the eastern Texas Panhandle to central Kansas.

The clash of warm and moist air from the Gulf of Mexico with dry air from the Desert Southwest will fuel the thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds and large hail.

While the violent thunderstorms will be isolated in nature, all residents from Childress, Texas, to Gage, Oklahoma, and Dodge City, Kansas, should remain vigilant of the severe weather danger.

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"Enabling audible alerts on your cell phone is a great way to receive severe weather bulletins as they are issued so you can seek shelter accordingly," AccuWeather Meteorologist Renee Duff said.

The severe thunderstorms in this region will wane on Sunday evening with the loss of daytime heating.

Chicago among communities at risk on Sunday night

As the severe weather in the southern Plains diminishes on Sunday evening, the opposite will occur farther north in Iowa, northern Illinois and northwestern Indiana.

Thunderstorm activity is expected to increase in coverage overnight from Cedar Rapids and Davenport, Iowa, to Chicago and South Bend, Indiana.

"Around Chicago, these early-morning storms will be mainly hail-producers with only an outside chance of isolated wind gusts," AccuWeather Senior Storm Warning Meteorologist Rich Putnam said.

If possible, move vehicles to garages before heading to bed to protect against hail damage. Be sure that livestock in the rural areas have proper shelter.

As the early morning hours progress, the risk for locally damaging winds will increase to the southeast of Chicago.

Heavy rain accompanying the severe storms will also raise the risk for flash flooding.

Downpours will further reduce visibility for early morning commuters on interstates 69, 80, 90 and 94. Standing water will heighten the risk of vehicles hydroplaning when traveling at highway speeds.

This cluster of gusty and drenching thunderstorms will sweep the upper Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic on Monday—a theme that will continue several times this week.

Monday brings more widespread severe weather threat

The departure of the thunderstorms on Sunday night will not be followed by quiet weather across the central U.S.

Chicago will join Kansas City, Missouri, and Wichita, Kansas, in facing severe thunderstorms on Monday afternoon and evening. Isolated severe thunderstorms may also occur southward to Midland, Texas.

Putnam is concerned for the risk of damaging winds and large hail around Chicago late Monday, a threat that will exist throughout the central Plains. Frequent lightning and downpours are other hazards that residents and motorists will face.

An isolated tornado cannot be ruled out but a significant outbreak is not expected.

Monday evening commuters should prepare for possible delays, while sporting events and other outdoor plans can be disrupted.

After the severe thunderstorms wane overnight Monday, the threat for violent thunderstorms will be more localized on Tuesday.