Severe storm warnings bring risk of flooding as tornadoes are forecast

Extreme weather is expected in PARTS of South and Central America this weekend, putting the areas on high alert for potential tornadoes and flood warnings.

The heavy weather comes as millions of Americans brace for increased tornado activity expected to peak in the coming days.

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High winds, torrential downpours and severe thunderstorms are expected to hit the plains and Missouri Valley overnight on Thursday and on through the weekend.

A jet stream mix of warm and humid air in the plains and central US will result in heavier weather that could cause tornadoes and wind damage.

A flood warning was issued for the Northern Plains and parts of the Midwest over the weekend as the wet weather is expected to drop between 1 and 3 inches of rain.

Parts of the South, including North Texaswill see heavy rains again to close out the weekend.

Multiple severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings were issued across Oklahoma this past weekend, leaving more than 4,000 customers without power.

In some parts of the state, forecasters were expecting golf ball-sized hail and winds up to 70 miles per hour.

HIGHLIGHTS OF TORNADO ACTIVITY

As April draws to a close, the month of May begins, nationally notorious for its peak tornado activity.

May’s severe weather begins with a disruption in the jet stream flowing out of the Rocky Mountains into the Plains, interacting with warm air and abundant moisture. Weather.com reports.

The US tornado season typically lasts from March through June but has already wreaked havoc across the South and Plains.

More than 200 tornadoes have made landfall in the US in four months so far, 17 of them in North Texas, a region that averages 23 tornadoes.

This year has produced the most March Twisters, beating a previous record of 192 in March 2017.

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