The Inter-mountain West will continue to be bombarded by strong winds through early Thursday. Winds to 90 mph have been reported in the Colorado Front Range near Boulder, and numerous trees and trucks have been blown over. Gusts to 100 mph are in the forecast for the Central Rockies and High Plains. A strong jet stream across the region is to blame.

The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a Slight Risk for severe thunderstorms valid until 7:00 a.m. EST Thursday for the much of the Tennessee Valley and southern Appalachians. Large hail, damaging winds and isolated tornadoes are possible across the affected area this afternoon and evening.

As part of our efforts to build a Weather-Ready Nation, construction began today for NOAA’s National Water Center on The University of Alabama campus in Tuscaloosa, which will strengthen the nation’s water forecast capabilities when completed in mid-2013.

Flood Watches are in effect through mid-week for western Washington as heavy rainfall may cause rivers to exceed flood stage. Heavy snow will impact the Washington Cascades and northern Rockies, where several feet of accumulation are likely. This will enhance the avalanche threat through mid-week for the Olympics and Washington Cascades. Meanwhile, strong winds will impact the northern Rockies and Plains through Wednesday, where gusts should exceed 60 mph at many locations.

Strong winds associated with a storm system moving through the central U.S. are kicking up dust and reducing visibilities in the southern Great Plains. A dust storm, visible on satellite imagery, was moving southeastward through the Texas Panhandle Monday afternoon. The dust can be seen on this image within the red oval.