Severe Weather Hits Europe and the US: Thunderstorms in France and Deadly Tornadoes in America

Extreme Weather Events Affect Multiple Regions

This Monday brings another bout of severe weather, affecting both Europe and the United States. Météo France has placed twenty departments in the southeast of the country on yellow alert due to the looming threat of thunderstorms. The departments primarily at risk include regions from Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin in Alsace to the entire east of the country and as far north as the Seine.

The Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region is expected to bear the brunt, anticipating intense precipitation—up to 40 mm in a few hours. Keraunos, the French observatory for tornadoes and violent storms, warns of the possibility of heavy rain and hail in certain regions. There is also a potential, albeit minor, risk for the development of snorkels—cloud formations that can evolve into weak tornadoes. Recently, France has experienced an increase in tornado activity, attributed to atmospheric instability.

Violent Storms Continue Across the United States

Meanwhile, in the United States, the central and eastern regions are grappling with the aftermath of severe storms and tornadoes that have resulted in 18 deaths. The violent weather systems have caused widespread destruction in states like Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma, leaving over 600,000 residents without power. These weather disruptions also resulted in delays, including a four-hour delay of the Indianapolis 500.

While the intensity is expected to diminish as the storm fronts move eastward, heavy rains are predicted for the East Coast. A corridor from Newark, New Jersey, to the Carolinas could experience lingering thunderstorms and possibly isolated tornadoes. Numerous major cities on the East Coast may face threats from damaging winds.

The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center has issued warnings for severe thunderstorms, excessive heat, and a continued threat of isolated tornadoes. The eastern Missouri, Ohio Valley, and Tennessee Valley are under a level 3 out of 5 risk for severe weather conditions, including frequent lightning, wind gusts, hail, and tornadoes.

Additionally, parts of the Upper Mississippi Valley and Upper Great Lakes, including Wisconsin, are at risk of localized flash flooding due to heavy rainfall. Weather predictions suggest a disruptive Memorial Day for people across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.

A sweltering heatwave also exacerbates the situation in southern regions. Places like south Texas, central Gulf Coast, and southern Florida are under excessive heat warnings. In some areas, temperatures are expected to soar with a heat index exceeding 115 degrees Fahrenheit, posing significant health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations.