Powerful storm set to deliver threat of tornadoes and damaging winds to the South as snow continues

By Aya Elamroussi, CNN

Published 7:26 AM EST, Thu March 2, 2023

CNN —

The US is once again set to wrestle with a range of brutal weather Thursday as storms are poised to bring heavy snow to the southwest and the triple threat of tornadoes, damaging winds and rain to the South.

Nearly 40 million people across parts of the Southern Plains and parts of the South are at some level of risk for severe thunderstorms – the worst of which could deliver multiple rounds of strong winds, large hail and tornadoes, according to the Storm Prediction Center.

California to see more snow today as it recovers from back-to-back winter storms

“An intensifying system is expected to produce significant severe storms and heavy rain that could cause flash flooding. Think now about what (to) do during a warning wherever you expect to be tomorrow/tomorrow night,” the National Weather Service warned of Thursday’s impacts.

The system is expected to trigger isolated supercell storms, which carry the largest risk for violent tornadoes and large hail, across central Texas and southern Oklahoma beginning Thursday afternoon and move eastward into the evening.

A Level 4 of 5 moderate threat of severe storms is in place for eastern Texas, northern Louisiana, southwestern Arkansas and southeastern Oklahoma, including the Shreveport, Louisiana, and the eastern suburbs of Dallas.

The cities of Dallas, Memphis, Little Rock and Jackson, Mississippi, are under a Level 3 of 5 severe storm risk, while Houston and Austin, Texas, are under a Level 2 of 5 threat.

“Widespread damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes are all expected. A few long-lived, intense tornadoes are possible,” the prediction center warned.