Severe thunderstorms could bring damaging wind gusts, hail and heavy rain to parts of the Midwest, Plains and Southwest on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.
The Storm Prediction Center has placed parts of the Mid-Mississippi Valley, southern High Plains and southeastern Arizona under a Marginal Risk for severe thunderstorms, meaning isolated severe storms are possible.
The greatest threat will be from isolated damaging wind gusts, though some storms could also produce hail. Storms are expected to develop during the afternoon and evening hours as a disturbance moves through the central United States.
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Midwest storms could bring damaging winds, hail
A stationary front stretching across the central U.S. will help fuel thunderstorms across parts of the Mid-Mississippi Valley, including portions of Missouri and Illinois.
The Storm Prediction Center said storms developing along and south of the boundary could become strong enough to produce isolated severe wind gusts and hail.
Some storms may organize as temperatures rise and instability builds during the afternoon. However, widespread thunderstorm development could limit the potential for long-lasting severe storms.
Heavy rain could also become a concern. The Weather Prediction Center has placed parts of the Upper Great Lakes, Mid-Mississippi Valley and Central Plains under a Slight Risk for excessive rainfall, meaning some areas could see localized flash flooding.
Texas Panhandle, High Plains could see strong wind gusts
Across the southern High Plains, scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop near higher terrain before moving east-southeast into parts of the Texas Panhandle and western Oklahoma, according to the Storm Prediction Center.
The storms are not expected to be widespread, but the environment could support isolated severe wind gusts.
The Storm Prediction Center said some storms could produce wind gusts between 60 and 80 mph as dry air near the surface helps storms generate stronger downdrafts.
Arizona storms could produce microbursts
In southeastern Arizona, monsoonal moisture combined with afternoon heating could fuel thunderstorms capable of producing strong wind gusts.
The Storm Prediction Center said storms could produce microbursts, which are powerful localized downdrafts that can create damaging winds.
Some storms may produce wind gusts between 60 and 80 mph as they move from higher terrain into lower desert areas.
“Very steep low to mid-level lapse rates will contribute towards a risk for strong downdrafts capable of a microburst threat,” the Storm Prediction Center warns.
Smoke continues across Northwest
Outside of the severe weather threat, ongoing wildfires will continue affecting air quality across parts of the Pacific Northwest and Great Basin.
The National Weather Service said smoke from fires in Washington, Oregon and other areas could create unhealthy conditions, especially for sensitive groups, including children, older adults and people with respiratory conditions.
Temperatures will also trend warmer across parts of the Northwest, with Moderate HeatRisk levels expected over the next several days.
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Brandi D. Addison covers weather across the nation as the Weather Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network and contributes to Texas Connect coverage across the state. She can be reached