Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs The National Weather Service (NWS) is warning of tornadoes, strong wind and hail as large as baseballs across 12 states on Friday.Why It MattersSevere storms are expected to hit a large swath of the United States from the Great Lakes region to the South on Friday. Meteorologists warn of tornadoes, hail, and wind associated with the storms and advise people to stay up-to-date with the latest weather information from their local NWS office.What To KnowPortions of 17 states expect at least a slight risk of thunderstorms this weekend. The impacted states are Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and Kentucky.
File photo: Lightning strikes in downtown Chicago, Illinois.
File photo: Lightning strikes in downtown Chicago, Illinois.
Scott Olson/Getty
Severe Storms Projection for Friday, March 13The storm outbreak across the Missouri, Mississippi, and Ohio Valleys is expected to begin Friday afternoon and persist through Saturday morning.The NWS has issued a “moderate risk” for severe thunderstorms in southeast Iowa, eastern Missouri, Illinois, far western Kentucky, northwest Tennessee and northeast Arkansas.However, lower risks persist for many more states.Which States Are at Risk of a Tornado?According to the NWS forecast, there is a 10 percent chance of tornadoes in southeast Iowa, much of Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, western Tennessee, northwestern Alabama, northern Mississippi, eastern Arkansas and eastern Missouri.A smaller chance, 5 percent, stretches from Minnesota south to Louisiana.Which States are at Risk of Hail?The biggest risk for hail will be in southwestern Illinois, far western Kentucky, far northwestern Tennessee, eastern Missouri, and far northeastern Arkansas.What People Are SayingNWS Storm Prediction Center lead forecaster Jared Guyer told Newsweek: “This system coming in is very much highlighted by very strong winds…and that’s going to bring a concern for a little bit of everything as far as severe weather potential.””All the ingredients are there for tornadoes, and stronger variety, longer lived tornadoes at that,” he added.NWS Storm Prediction Center in a forecast on Thursday: “A regional outbreak of severe storms is likely over the Lower/Mid-Missouri/Mississippi Valleys and Lower Ohio Valley late Friday afternoon into Saturday morning. Tornadoes, several of which could be strong, widespread damaging winds with gusts from 70 to 90 mph, and scattered large hail up to baseball size will be possible.”The forecast added: “A few broken to semi-discrete supercells appear most probable in the Mid-South, posing a risk for strong tornadoes, significant damaging wind gusts, and very large hail. These threats appear more conditional farther south/east in the Lower MS and TN Valleys.”What Happens NextThe storms are expected to begin by Friday night. Local NWS offices will likely issue weather alerts or warnings related to the storms on Friday for the affected areas.
