Severe weather targets storm-ravaged Plains and Midwest
Summary
A major storm is bringing damaging winds and the threat of tornadoes to the center of the country, less than a week after deadly tornadoes swept through neighboring states
Key Highlights
Threats: Damaging winds, severe thunderstorms, tornadoes
States affected: IA, MN, MO, NE, WI
When: Wednesday, December 15 - Thursday, December 16
Severe Weather Threat
A powerful storm that brought torrential rains, heavy snow, and gusty winds to the West Coast earlier this week is gaining strength and heading towards the Plains and Midwest. An area of strong-to-severe thunderstorms will develop late Wednesday afternoon across eastern Nebraska and neighboring states before spreading northeast into western and northern Missouri, Iowa, southern Minnesota, and southwestern Wisconsin Wednesday night. AccuWeather meteorologists warn some severe thunderstorms could fire up in portions of the Mississippi Valley that were already hit hard by deadly tornadoes over the weekend. Rain and windy conditions could also impact search, recovery, and cleanup efforts.
Businesses in the region need to keep a close on this system and should:
- Ensure all employees and visitors on-site have a way to be notified of severe weather
- Expect ground logistics disruption and road closures
- Be prepared for power outages and lengthy closures
- Establish an emergency communication plan and share with it your staff before the storm
Join us Tuesday, December 21 at 10:15 a.m. Eastern for a live webinar featuring AccuWeather’s Senior Vice President, Weather Content and Forecast Operations, and Chief Meteorologist, Jonathan Porter. Along with Tom Bedard, Implementation Manager and Meteorologist, they’ll discuss the recent historic tornado outbreak and ways your business can prepare for dangerous weather year-round.