VIPIR 6 ALERT DAY remains in effect for Thursday; strong to severe storms possible

Update from Wednesday evening: Happy Hump Day! With temperatures around 30 degrees, it feels more like summer than spring today. It will feel humid with dew points around 70 degrees, with heat indicators in the low to mid 90s. As you know, it’s not the heat; It’s the humidity!

There is a chance of scattered showers or thunderstorms this evening as a complex approaches from the northwest. There is a slight risk of severe weather, mainly damaging winds and large hail. This threat would apply to areas along and north of I-20.

The greater risk of severe weather occurs on Thursday as a cold front approaches from the west. We will watch as a complex of showers and storms develops in the morning hours. Due to the warming of the day and the humid atmosphere, there is a risk of strong to severe thunderstorms. The biggest threats are damaging wind gusts up to 70 miles per hour and hail 1 inch (quarter size) in diameter or larger. Secondary threats include localized flooding and isolated tornadoes. It will dry out briefly on Thursday evening before another round of showers and storms arrive on Friday morning. This round doesn’t look as severe as Thursday’s, but there is still a chance of strong to severe storms. Rainfall totals from these systems will range from 1 to 3 inches. This could lead to flooding in areas. Remember to turn around and avoid drowning!

The good news is that Mother’s Day weekend is looking fantastic with lots of sunshine! Temperatures will also be much cooler, with highs only reaching the upper 70s to near 80s. Low temperatures will be crisp in the lower 50s. Looking ahead, we return to an unsettled weather pattern with isolated showers and storms.