Severe weather is breaking out over three fronts from west to east in the US on Thursday, as well as a significant flash flooding risk over the south and southeast. Plus, could we see the most active meteor storm in decades?
Triple-threat severe weather outbreak
Severe weather could erupt over three separate fronts in the US on Thursday, according to the latest forecast from the Storm Prediction Center (SPC).
The eastern storms are forecast to begin around 1 PM local time, firing off and on throughout the afternoon and into the evening hours, according to the Weather Channel.
The first front is in the northwest with a Level 2 severe weather risk over northeastern Oregon and southeastern Washington into north-central and northern Idaho, and along the west-central border of Montana.
There is a difference in forecast maps, with the National Weather Service (NWS) forecast showing two storm fronts in the eastern US.
The second front is a Level 2 severe weather risk for the Ohio Valley over most of Ohio into northern and eastern Kentucky and Western West Virginia.
The third front is a Level 2 severe weather risk for parts of the South and Southeast over southeastern Tennessee, southwestern North Carolina, northwestern South Carolina, and into northern and central Georgia.
However, according to the SPC forecast, these two separate fronts have merged to include all of the aforementioned, plus a Level 2 severe weather risk for the central and eastern half of Kentucky, central and eastern Tennessee, western Georgia, most of Alabama, and the western Florida Panhandle.
Storms move to the east on Friday
Starting off the Memorial Day weekend, the storm front will move to the east on Friday with a Level 2 severe weather risk extending along the eastern coastline from South Carolina to New York. Heavy rain, severe thunderstorms, and flash flooding are all possible.
Saturday: Severe weather over the upper Midwest
The SPC has forecast a Level 2 severe weather risk for Saturday over northern Nebraska; sensual, southern and eastern South Dakota, northwestern Iowa, into western Minnesota.
The most spectacular meteor shower in decades could happen May 30-31
Fragments of Comet 73P/Schwassman-Wachmann 3, which broke up in 1995 and continues to fragment, could pass our way on the overnight of May 30-31 for the Americas, according to studies by meteor experts, Earth Sky reported.
If the predictions by these experts prove correct, it could result in one of the most spectacular meteor showers witnessed in decades, with rates as high as 40 meteors per second!
The most opportune viewing time is anticipated to begin at 10 PM PDT on May 30/1 AM EDT on May 31.
With the new moon coming on May 30, skies will be dark. Viewing should be good throughout most of the US, with the prime viewing in the Southwest.
