A vast area from the Ohio Valley to the Gulf Coast is under the threat of severe thunderstorms with high winds and tornadoes later today and tonight.  A MODERATE RISK of severe weather has been issued.  Latest timing and where strong tornadoes will be possible in this update..

Thanks to heavy thunderstorms in recent days and now a slow moving tropical system in Ida, Flash Flood Watches have been issued for much of the Lower Ohio River Valley, Appalachians, Mid-Atlantic and into parts of New England.  Who could see in excess of SIX INCHES of rainfall... 

Data from the NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds are near 105 mph (165 km/h) with higher gusts.  Rapid strengthening is forecast during the next 12 to 24 hours and Ida is expected to be an extremely dangerous major hurricane when it makes landfall along the Louisiana coast on Sunday...

I’ve been asked MANY times over the last year or so, “Why don’t you just stick to weather?”  Or I have been advised, “You have no business spouting your political opinion, you should just stick with what you are good at!”  MY REPLY>>>

Storm Prediction Center: "The initial Kansas storms will pose a large hail threat, with an increase in the damaging-wind threat by early tonight. A few tornadoes will also be possible.."