Severe weather threatens Halloween plans for over 30 million people in the central United States

FOX Weather meteorologists Ian Oliver and Ari Sarsalari break down the latest forecast for the growing severe weather threat across the central U.S. every day through Halloween.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A threat of severe weather lasting several days is expected in the central United States through Halloween, bringing the potential for damaging winds, hail and severe thunderstorms for millions of people.

A cold front is moving through the central and southern Plains this week. Warmer temperatures will converge along the cold front, potentially leading to the development of thunderstorms. The greatest potential for extreme weather is expected to unfold on Wednesday before the front moves into the Northeast by Halloween night.

Trick-or-treat in shorts? WARM HALLOWEEN FOR MANY IN THE USA

“I think one of the interesting things here is that it's a fall front, but the location of the storm is more similar to what we would see in the spring,” said FOX weather meteorologist Britta Merwin. “Kind of interesting, but sometimes there’s an echoing weather pattern between seasons. Remember, fall and spring, it’s all about transitions.”

Severe storm in central USA.

(FOX Weather)

Hail, strong storms possible from Tuesday

Severe weather potential begins Tuesday for portions of the Midwest and Plains, with areas beginning in Oklahoma to Iowa under a Level 1 threat out of 5 on NOAA's Storm Prediction Center (SPC) 5-point severe thunderstorm risk scale.

Cities at risk include Omaha, Nebraska; Wichita, Kansas; and Woodward, Oklahoma.

Severe weather forecast for Tuesday.
(FOX Weather)

Kansas City faces a significant threat of severe weather on Wednesday

The SPC issued a Level 3 out of 5 threat for severe thunderstorms on Wednesday, which includes Kansas City Subway area.

Other major cities from the Southern Plains to the mid-Mississippi Valley face a Level 2 out of 5 threat, including Dallas and Oklahoma City.

“We have the greatest chance on Wednesday – from North Texas to the Missouri Ozarks and north to Kansas City,” said FOX weather meteorologist Stephen Morgan. “There will be a sector here where large hail and damaging winds could pose a significant threat.”

There is also a slight risk of tornadoes within the severe weather risk zone.

The storms are likely to develop Wednesday afternoon and move east across Kansas and into Oklahoma. Those attending trunk-or-treat activities and early Halloween festivities should have their weather alerts on and be prepared to move indoors.

Severe weather forecast for Wednesday.
(FOX Weather)

Rainy Halloween

The further east the front travels, the less storm energy will convert this system into a rain event.

Cities like Dallas, Little Rock and Memphis could see a rainy Halloween with some thunderstorm activity.

The moisture is desperately needed in many parts of the U.S. affected by drought and dangerous fire weather conditions. Parts of Kansas and Oklahoma are under fire weather warnings this week as critical fire weather continues due to strong winds and very dry vegetation.