Millions warned tornadoes are 'expected' Friday: Nashville, Memphis, Little Rock at risk

Marina Pitofsky and Doyle Rice, USA TODAY

March 31, 2023, 1:44 AM·3 min read

Thursday is the day to prepare for what's expected to be a wild and potentially dangerous Friday weatherwise across a large swath of the central U.S.

Forecasters are warning of an outbreak of severe weather Friday afternoon and evening in at least 12 states from the Upper Midwest to the Deep South: "Intense, damaging gusts and several tornadoes (some strong and long-track) are expected," the Storm Prediction Center said.

Tens of millions of people live where the high winds and tornadoes are possible: Big cities in the highest danger areas include Nashville, Memphis, St. Louis, Des Moines and Little Rock.

The storms will be fast-moving, so there won't be much time to react to warnings, forecasters said. "Now's the time to start preparing," said Storm Prediction Center warning coordination meteorologist Matt Elliott.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, more snow was forecast to fall in the mountains of the West.Wintry weather was spreading from California to Montana, Utah and other western states on Thursday, with parts of the Wasatch Mountains expecting up to 2 feet of snow accumulation.

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Women hug among the rubble of a home as cleanup continues in the aftermath of Friday's tornado on March 28, 2023, in Rolling Fork, Mississippi. More severe weather, including the chance for tornadoes, is possible on Friday, March 31 in the central U.S.

Severe storm threat on Friday

The potential for severe weather Friday extends from central Texas northward by nearly 1,000 miles to southern Wisconsin.

"This severe weather outbreak will bring a widespread threat of damaging winds and is highly likely to produce a number of tornadoes," AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said.

The storms could also hit parts of Mississippi and Alabama, where residents are still recovering some a series of fatal storms late last week.

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Mountain regions in the West see more snow

Winter storm conditions extended across western states again on Thursday, after another storm made its way across California earlier this week.

A winter storm watch was in effect for parts of the Wasatch Mountains in Utah through Friday evening, with snow accumulations of up to 2 feet possible and winds gusting up to 70 mph.

A winter weather advisory is in effect in southwest Montana until midnight on Thursday, with up to a foot of snow expected in the area.

And wintry weather isn’t done with the Golden State yet. A winter weather advisory is also in effect until Thursday afternoon in the state’s western San Gabriel Mountains, with snow accumulations of up to a foot on higher peaks.

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