Rounds of severe thunderstorms packing high winds and damaging hail will focus mainly on the central and eastern United States into the weekend, AccuWeather meteorologists say.

The risk of severe weather will continue each day over the Plains and Mississippi Valley through the weekend, from just inland from the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes. As warm, humid air from the Gulf clashes with a press of cool air from the Rockies—combined with a strong jet stream overhead— thunderstorms will erupt and are likely to become locally violent.

Thursday's area main area of severe weather risk includes part of the Southwest and southern Plains states from eastern New Mexico into West Texas and portions of southeastern Colorado and western Oklahoma. This area could face higher wind gusts from storms

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