Dangerous storms on tap
for Midwest, South

Extremely treacherous potentially life-threatening storms tonight are moving through Arkansas, northern Louisiana, northeastern Texas, southeastern Missouri, western Tennessee, western Mississippi, southern Illinois and western Kentucky.

A potent frontal boundary and vigorous upper-level disturbance are responsible for the strong storms currently ravaging parts of the Mississippi Valley. The same front produced large hail and strong winds across much of Missouri earlier today. Tornado watches are currently in effect from southeastern Missouri to eastern Texas. Look for the front to press east tonight and spread a swath of rain and more thunderstorms from the Ohio Valley south to the Gulf Coast by tomorrow afternoon. The strongest thunderstorms tomorrow will mainly be confined to the Lower Mississippi Valley and Gulf Coast.

Farther north, wintry weather is the problem as a storm center churns into Minnesota. On the western side of the storm, snow is falling and a winter storm warning is in effect for the western
two-thirds of North Dakota where up to 8 inches of snow may accumulate by late tomorrow. A winter storm warning also remains posted for some of the mountains of northwest Colorado.

Along the West Coast, high wind warnings have been raised for coastal communities of southwest Oregon and northwest California for late tonight into Thursday as another significant
storm grinds toward the Golden State. The impending storm has prompted winter storm watches to be raised for the Sierra Nevada and mountains of northwest California for tomorrow. Snow levels will be quite low, ranging from around 4,000 feet in the Sierras to
about 2,500 feet in the mountains of northwest California.

TRENDING: Is America having a near-death experience, or is this the end?

Meanwhile, another potent storm is eyeing the California coast. Winds along the coast will increase tonight and heavy rain and snow will follow tomorrow. As much as 1-3 feet of fresh snow will
blanket the Sierra by Friday. High wind warnings and winter storm watches are in effect.

For complete details, see AccuWeather.