Tornadoes, Storms Predicted Throughout Weekend
The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla. said Friday the outbreak could be a "high-end, life threatening event." The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported it is the second time in U.S. history that the center has issued a high-risk warning more than 24 hours in advance, according to Russ Schneider, director of the center.
The first such warning was issued in April 2006 before nearly 100 tornadoes tore across a large swathe of the southeastern U.S.
"This is a very powerful weather situation," Schneider said. "The environment is extremely favorable for violent, long-track tornadoes.
According to FOX News, the threat increases significantly Saturday, with a High Risk of severe thunderstorms across parts of Kansas and Oklahoma.
Moderate and Slight Risk areas surround the High Risk area for Saturday and stretch from extreme southwestern Minnesota to central Texas.
A tornado outbreak will be likely across the central and southern plains from late Saturday afternoon lasting through the evening and into the overnight period.
Watch MSNBC's weather tracking report here:
Reach Executive Producer Rosa Trieu here. Follow her on Twitter.