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Catastrophic is not a word that I like to wield around very often.  But that’s exactly what’s facing parts of Iowa, Nebraska and several other states.  A powerful storm system will center itself in Nebraska with a warm front jutted out to the east and a cold front/dry line down to the south.  Above are the areas of greatest concern on Saturday.  You can see in the graphic to the left the enormous area already under a high risk. 

The Storm Prediction Center hasn’t issued a high risk this early in more than six years.  Below this article, I’ve posted the risk potential for tomorrow.  60% is a very rare sight to see on a day two outlook such as this, let alone, again, over such a large area.  It shows you how dangerous and how sure they are that a major tornado outbreak is just 24 hours away.   Supercells are expected to develop close to a “triple point” in eastern Nebraska Saturday afternoon.  Additional development is likely to spread quickly into portions of western Iowa.  This is the area where strong, violent and long-track tornadoes are expected to form.

These tornadoes could reach wind speeds in excess of 200 miles per hour and cause great loss of life and property as they move through.  Everyone… EVERYONE in the risk areas needs to stay close to web, TV and radio outlets so they make sure they are constantly up to date on the outbreak as it unfolds.

This is also the best time to remind you that if dangerous weather is threatening you or your family, the best thing you can do is seek shelter IMMEDIATELY.  The best place to go is the lowest level of your home, preferably a basement.  If you do not have a basement, the ideal situation would be to spend Saturday at a place a little safer.  But if the storm is approaching and it is too late, you need to get to an interior room, perhaps a closet or bathroom.

There is also a threat of additional development further to the east across Iowa, as a warm front swings north into the state during the evening and overnight hours.  There is also the potential for tornadic development in these areas, but that threat is much lower.  Severe weather is expected to persist for most if not the entire night with another round affecting Iowa on Sunday, especially across eastern Iowa.

Again, I cannot stress enough the potential danger in tomorrow’s weather conditions.  The forecast calls for a potentially catastrophic outbreak in portions of eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa.  People in these areas need to make sure they are aware of the weather situation AT ALL TIMES on Saturday.  With any luck, a lot of preparation and prevention will prevent this disaster in the making from taking any lives.

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