Winter Storm Finn Sparks Warnings About Tornadoes in Five States

A winter storm making its way across the U.S. brought tornado warnings across five states on Monday.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a warning for parts of the states as severe thunderstorms capable of strong wind gusts, as well as tornadoes, are expected to sweep across the Gulf Coast states this afternoon through early Tuesday morning. Southeast Texas, southern Louisiana, southern Mississippi, southern Alabama and the western Florida Panhandle will be affected.

Winter storm Finn is taking aim at the Great Plains, Midwest and Great Lakes with snow, wind and dangerous travel conditions. It is also expected to bring severe weather to the South, including tornadoes, as well as the potential for flooding in the East.

AccuWeather meteorologists say the storm's northern part will clash with its warmer, moisture-filled southern part, creating the "right ingredients" for tornadoes to spin up, with the highest risk along the northeast Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi coastlines."

AccuWeather meteorologist Alexander Duffus said, "A piece of robust energy will bring disruptive thunderstorms that can produce damaging winds, hail and tornadoes to the Gulf Coast states. An inflow of moisture along the Gulf of Mexico from eastern Texas and southern Louisiana will aid in the development of thunderstorms across the region."

Newsweek has reached out to the NWS via email for comment.

The storm is also expected to bring blizzards and flash flooding to some parts of the Southeast. More than half a dozen states have been warned about snowfall, and up to 3 inches of rainfall is expected on the Gulf Coast.

Rainfall and damaging winds from thunderstorms are expected to hit parts of Texas from Dallas and Austin, as well as parts of central and southern Mississippi, on Monday afternoon.

However, by Monday night, the storms will begin to leave the Texas coast and make their way across Louisiana, Mississippi, portions of Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.

In addition to the thunderstorms, the timing of the storms will be instrumental in the development of nocturnal tornadoes along the Gulf Coast on Monday night.

"This setup will bring the potential for damaging winds, hail and a strong tornado overnight in areas like New Orleans, Louisiana," Duffus said. "It is vital that people in southern Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama have methods to receive warnings on Monday night into Tuesday morning when storms are projected to ramp up."

Tornadoes after dark pose an additional danger to residents because they start when most people are asleep and may not be aware of ongoing watches or warnings, according to AccuWeather. Tornadoes can also be difficult to see.

Finn is the second winter storm to hit the nation this year as the Northeast cleans up from Ember. That storm's snow, slush and ice affected flights and highway driving in the region.