Dangerous storms to aim for Texas, Oklahoma to Arkansas this week

By Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

Storms with damaging winds, large hail, flash flooding and a few tornadoes will take aim at the southern Plains this week.

High winds in the wake of the severe thunderstorm threat may affect just about every location.

A storm is forecast to strengthen rapidly after passing over the southern Rockies en route to the Upper Midwest.

Severe thunderstorms poised to pounce on the southern Plains

While isolated big storms are forecast to erupt in parts of New Mexico and the Big Bend area of Texas during Monday night, the main days of severe weather are expected to be on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The area from El Paso, Texas, and Las Cruces, New Mexico, to Fort Stockton, Texas, and Roswell, New Mexico, will be at risk for storms with powerful wind gusts and large hail from late Monday to Monday night.

During Tuesday and Tuesday night, areas from the Big Bend area of Texas and eastern New Mexico to south-central Kansas, central Oklahoma and central Texas will be at risk for dangerous storms that can bring the full-spectrum of severe weather.

Large hail, strong wind gusts, flash flooding, frequent lightning strikes and isolated tornadoes can accompany the strongest storms.

During Tuesday afternoon, severe storms may visit Lubbock, Amarillo and San Angelo, Texas, as well as Gage and Clinton, Oklahoma.

Major cities at risk for severe thunderstorms after dark during Tuesday night to perhaps the first thing Wednesday morning include Wichita Falls and San Antonio, Texas, as well as Oklahoma City.

Storms may rumble through the Dallas metro area during Wednesday morning.

During Wednesday afternoon and evening, the threat of severe thunderstorms will shift toward the lower southern Plains to part of the lower Mississippi Valley.

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Since the storms are likely to organize into more of a solid line on Wednesday, the risk of tornadoes is expected to be significantly lower than from Tuesday and Tuesday night.

Areas from northeastern Texas, eastern Oklahoma and southeastern Kansas to southern Missouri, Arkansas and northwestern Louisiana will be at greatest risk.

Download the free AccuWeather app to stay alert to the latest forecast and receive severe weather watches and warnings.

Winds to howl after storms blow through

Soon after the severe thunderstorm threat ends, high winds are likely on a regional basis.

There will be a heightened risk for power outages, property damage and blowing dust and other debris.

Gusts will frequent 50-60 mph. However, a few gusts to hurricane force, 74 mph, or higher can occur.

High-profile vehicles, such as trucks, buses and RVs, can be flipped over by strong westerly crosswinds on north-south highways such as U.S. routes 83 and 287, as well as Interstate 27 and 35.

Other effects from the storm

The same storm is expected to bring a major blizzard to the northern High Plains and raise the risk of flooding and roof collapses over the Upper Midwest.

The storm will also help to pump warmth into the East for a couple of days.