Central and Southern US Brace for Severe Tornado Outbreak

Meteorologists are warning people in parts of the Midwest and southern U.S. to prepare for dangerous weather including tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, and hail on Friday. The major population centers at greatest risk include Memphis, Little Rock, Des Moines, and Cedar Rapids. People in those areas should stock emergency supplies, prepare for power outages, avoid getting stranded in places vulnerable to falling trees or severe hail, and park vehicles in garages if possible. The hazardous forecast is a result of strong southerly winds transporting copious amounts of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico north, where they will interact with the strengthening storm system.