Millions in central US brace for tornado outbreak

Tuesday, March 10 could be a devastating day for severe weather in the central United States.

"Severe thunderstorms are forecast today [March 10] from the southern Plains into the southern Great Lakes vicinity," the Storm Prediction Center said in an online forecast. "All severe hazards are possible, including the risk for a few strong to intense tornadoes and very large hail."

Large metro areas, including Chicago, Dallas, St. Louis, Oklahoma City, Indianapolis and Kansas City, Missouri, could all be impacted by the severe thunderstorms, according to AccuWeather. In all, nearly 80 million people are at risk from some form of severe weather on Tuesday, the Storm Prediction Center said.

The storms come just days after deadly tornadoes ripped across the central U.S., killing eight people in Oklahoma and Michigan.

"This could be the largest outbreak of severe weather so far this year," said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Adam Douty.

Nighttime tornadoes possible

Residents in the risk area should have more than one way to receive warnings and to have a plan in place, as severe storms could last into the night, including a chance of dangerous nocturnal tornadoes.

This is of particular concern, as nighttime tornadoes are twice as deadly as daytime tornadoes, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

States at greatest risk

The states at greatest risk for severe weather and tornadoes March 10 are Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Texas.

The Storm Prediction Center added that "the environment in the Upper Midwest will conditionally support strong to intense tornadoes. Very large hail (2+ inches) will be possible within the Midwest with greater potential in the southern Plains. Damaging winds are possible in all areas."

The threat is expected to increase by mid to late afternoon, and potentially last through late night.

Get ready to seek shelter

Residents across the entire area at risk for severe weather should identify the safest place to shelter at home, work or school in the event a tornado occurs, AccuWeather advised.

"Regardless of whether or not the event will reach tornado outbreak proportions, all it takes is one tornado to strike a populated area, leading to multiple casualties," AccuWeather meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said in an online forecast. "People should take the upcoming 'severe weather outbreak' threat seriously."

Have multiple ways of receiving official watches and warnings from the National Weather Service, including from your smartphone and from NOAA weather radio, according to Weather.com.

Weather elsewhere

While the central U.S. deals with severe weather, wild weather is also forecast in the Pacific Northwest, where blizzard warnings are in effect in the mountains of Washington state. "Higher elevations of the Cascades and Olympics could see several feet of snow, and expected gusty winds have already prompted blizzard warnings," NOAA's Weather Prediction Center said. The National Weather Service said visibility on roadways could fall under a quarter mile because of the falling and blowing snow.

Elsewhere, in the East, the May preview will continue: "Well above average, spring-like weather will continue for most of the eastern U.S. through mid-week," the Weather Prediction Center said. "Forecast highs range in the 50s and 60s for New England, the 60s and 70s for the Mid-Atlantic, the 70s to near 80 from the central Plains east through the Middle Mississippi and Ohio Valleys, and the 80s from the Southern Plains through the Southeast."

Numerous daily record-tying or record-breaking highs may be set.