The U.S. National Weather Service in Memphis reports showers and thunderstorms are likely today as a cold front pushes through the region during Severe Weather Awareness Week.
Strong thunderstorms are expected to produce gusty winds and hail across the Mid-South throughout the late afternoon.
“A few strong thunderstorms will be possible through late this afternoon, primarily across northeast Mississippi and portions of west Tennessee,” the National Weather Service said. “Strong, gusty winds and hail will be possible with any strong thunderstorm.”
As of 9:30 a.m. it is 61 degrees in Oxford with a 100 percent chance of a thunderstorm. With an overcast, the humidity is 75 percent, the visibility 10 miles and the wind speed is 14 miles per hour. A cold front will bring the temperature down to a low of 36 degrees tonight, according to the National Weather Service.
Severe Weather Awareness Week
The U.S. National Weather Service kicked off Severe Weather Awareness Week yesterday and has shared some important safety tips about storms and flooding.
“The NWS will only issue warnings when a thunderstorm is severe,” the NWS said.
If you are in the green area of a map, you are in a general area which means no hail and winds to be at 45 miles per hour or less. A yellow area means you are in a strong area, meaning penny sized hail, winds up to 45 to 57 miles per hour and heavy downpours. A red area is a severe area, meaning tornadoes are likely, one inch hail or larger and winds 58 miles per hour or higher.
The NWS also gave facts about flooding in order to raise awareness about the dangers of high levels of water.
“Deadlier than tornadoes,” the NWS said about flooding.
According to NWS, 140 Americans die from flooding each year, and that number is rising while the number of tornado and hurricane deaths are declining.
“Two feet of moving water will carry most vehicles away-including SUVs,” the NWS said. “Six inches of fast moving water can knock you off your feet.”
For more Severe Weather Awareness Week tips and safety guidelines, visit the U.S. National Weather Service of Memphis on their Facebook page.
Emily Newton is a staff reporter for hottytoddy.com and editor of Experience Oxford magazine. She can be reached at emily.newton@hottytoddy.com.
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