Severe Weather Potential: Thursday February 20th

For many people in the Mid-South, a forecast high of 75ºF for Thursday, can often do a good job of communicating the threat for severe weather. However, for those of you that might be recent transplants from other parts of the country, tomorrow is going to introduce to you what severe weather can sometimes be like in West Tennessee.

A cold front is going to move across the region tomorrow bringing with it dry and cooler air, but in the meantime, temperatures are going to be VERY mild for this time of the month. In fact, overnight lows may remain in the 60s in Memphis thanks to a warm front crossing West Tennessee overnight bringing warm and moist air with it.

The latest forecast models still show the main threat for severe weather begin with the arrival of showers and thunderstorms out ahead of the cold front. This is expected to take place during the afternoon and evening hours in West Tennessee - right during evening commute.

Damaging winds will be possible in storms that form along a squall line (an elongated line of thunderstorms) with wind gusts upwards of 60 mph. This could result in down tree limbs and loss of power in our area so be prepared with an emergency kit in case that occurs. Still, a wind advisory has already been issued for the area and will go into effect at 9 a.m. and last until 9 p.m. tomorrow. This was issued because tomorrow is expected to be just a generally windy day with wind gusts up to 40 mph and beyond even outside of thunderstorm activity.

The Storm Prediction Center with the National Weather Service currently (4:30 p.m. Wednesday) has us outlined for a 30% chance for severe weather but they may update that overnight and during the day tomorrow. In addition to strong winds, isolated tornadoes will also be possible.

I'll put out another update in the morning. Stay tuned to WBBJ for more details!