Strong Cold Front Moves Across Country

A strong cold front is moving across the center of the country this afternoon and evening. This is leading to a long line of broken thunderstorms from southeastern Canada to northwest Mexico! The temperature spread across the state of Oklahoma is 54°, in the western part of the panhandle to 95° in Oklahoma City. A similar spread is found across Missouri, where it is 62° in Kansas City, MO and 94° in St. Louis, MO!

Surface Fronts, Temperatures, MSLP, Radar - Valid 5:30 PM - Gibson Ridge Software
Surface Fronts, Temperatures, MSLP, Radar – Valid 5:30 PM – Gibson Ridge Software

The spread in temperatures is very noticeable in mesoanalysis data. The darker reds indicate temperatures in the 90s and the orange-yellow color indicates temperatures in the 60s.

Surface Temperatures - Valid 5:30 PM - Gibson Ridge Software
Surface Temperatures – Valid 5:30 PM – Gibson Ridge Software

Unfortunately, some of the storms along the front have become severe over the last few hours. This has prompted the National Weather Service to issue Severe Thunderstorm Watches as well as Flash Flood Watches for sections of the country.

NWS Hazard Map - NOAA SPC
NWS Hazard Map – NOAA SPC

A few severe weather reports have been noted across portions of the country as well. A majority have been damaging wind reports, with a handful of severe hail reports. Thankfully, no tornadoes have been reported today.

SPC Severe Storm Reports - NOAA SPC
SPC Severe Storm Reports – NOAA SPC

So, you want to find out what type of impacts we can expect when the cold front moves through the Bowling Green area? Check out the latest forecast post on the blog for all the details!