According to the National Weather Service, more than 60 tornadoes struck US Midwest on Sunday, November 17, 2013, leaving trail of destruction and unleashing 130 km (80 mph) winds and hail stones up to 5 cm (2 inches) in diameter. Entire neighbourhoods were flattened within seconds. Forecasters said the extreme weather could affect more than 50 million people.
Tornadoes, triggered by fast-moving weather system, touched down in as many as 10 states. Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin were buffeted by the storm, which weakened as it tracked east towards Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland and New Jersey.
Illinois was struck the hardest where at least six were killed and dozens more injured. With communications difficult and many roads impassable, it remained unclear how many people might be hurt.
Meteorologist Matt Friedlein said such powerful storms rarely occur so late in the year because the climate is usually too cold.
However, temperatures had been forecast to climb to as high as 26C (78F), he said, which is warm enough to produce severe weather when coupled with strong winter winds. (SKY)
Latest NWS discussion issued at 08:59 UTC on Monday, November 18th:
The same cold front that rocked the Ohio Valley with severe weather on Sunday will quickly push through the Eastern Seaboard early Monday. Showers and thunderstorms will continue to light up ahead of the boundary...but the widespread severe weather threat with this system has diminished.
Strong and gusty winds across the Great Lakes and Northeast should gradually relax as the wrapped up anchoring surface low lifts farther into Canada and the cold front clears the Atlantic coast Monday evening.
Behind the system...some light lake enhanced rain and snow showers will be possible downwind of the Great Lakes. Farther south...the tail end of the boundary will stall out and linger over the Gulf of Mexico...bringing scattered showers and thunderstorms across Florida and along the Gulf Coast the next few days. Elsewhere...high pressure filling in behind the front will bring cooler and drier air into the eastern half of the Nation for the start of the work week.
Conditions will become increasingly wet across the Western U.S. during the short range period as a Pacific front moves onshore on Monday and drops southeastward on Tuesday. The front will trigger widespread shower activity across much of the northwestern corner of the country...with moderate to heavy rains expected along the Pacific Northwest/Northern California coasts and accumulating snows anticipated for the Washington Cascades and Northern Rockies.
Featured image: LiveLeak video screenshot