Severe Thunderstorms Risk Disrupting Memorial Day Weekend Travel Across Southern and Plains Regions

Severe weather is anticipated to disrupt Memorial Day weekend travel plans for millions across the South, Plains, and Mississippi Valley. Approximately 13 million people from Texas to Alabama are at risk of severe weather on Saturday. This includes cities like Memphis, Tennessee; Denver and Colorado Springs, Colorado; Birmingham, Alabama; and Oklahoma City and Tulsa in Oklahoma. The main concerns this weekend are very large hail and damaging winds, with the possibility of tornadoes also on the table.

On Saturday, a cluster of thunderstorms impacted parts of southeast Oklahoma, northeast Texas, and Arkansas, leading to a Severe Thunderstorm Watch that remains in effect until 4 p.m. E.T. The storms in these areas are capable of producing winds up to 70 mph and hail as large as two inches. Reports from Missouri indicated rainfall of 1 to 3 inches, with some locations receiving over 5 inches. Conditions have turned more conducive for tornado formation, particularly in central Oklahoma, with storms expected to persist into the overnight hours.

On Sunday, the severe weather risk expands to about 15 million people in the same area, with Memphis, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Birmingham again included in the warning for large hail, damaging winds, and potential tornadoes. The most intense storms are predicted to affect parts of the Texas Panhandle and western Oklahoma. For Memorial Day, a Slight Risk of severe weather will remain stretched over parts of Texas, impacting around nine million people in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Additionally, flash flooding poses a risk throughout the region, affecting about four million people in parts of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, and Kansas under Flood Alerts through Monday.

Rainfall accumulations are projected to range from 4 to 6 inches, with localized totals possibly reaching 8 to 10 inches. The weather will bring rainy conditions to the central U.S. on Monday, with spotty showers extending from the Dakotas to the Gulf and Southeast. A severe storm or two may occur in Texas. As a result of the wet and cloudy weather, temperatures across the Plains and Mid-Atlantic will be 10 to 20 degrees below average, hovering in the 50s to 70s.

Meanwhile, travel is expected to be heavy this weekend, with TSA reporting over three million travelers screened on Friday, making it one of the busiest travel days on record. Travelers are advised to arrive at airports at least two hours early to ensure a smooth journey.