ZCZC SPCPWOSPC ALL WOUS40 KWNS 041245 STATEBEXPIRE- PUBLIC SEVERE WEATHER OUTLOOK STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK 800 AM CDT SUN 4 MAY 2003 ...OUTBREAK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS...INCLUDING A FEW STRONG TORNADOES AND VERY LARGE HAIL...EXPECTED OVER PARTS OF THE CENTRAL UNITED STATES LATER TODAY THROUGH TONIGHT... THE STORM PREDICTION CENTER IN NORMAN OK IS FORECASTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A FEW STRONG TORNADOES AND VERY LARGE HAIL OVER PARTS OF THE LOWER MISSOURI VALLEY AND EASTERN PARTS OF THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN PLAINS LATER TODAY THROUGH TONIGHT. THE AREAS MOST LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE THIS ACTIVITY INCLUDE: WESTERN AND CENTRAL MISSOURI FAR EASTERN KANSAS EASTERN OKLAHOMA NORTHWEST ARKANSAS OTHER SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH DAMAGING WIND...HAIL AND ISOLATED TORNADOES WILL AFFECT PARTS OF NEBRASKA...IOWA...ILLINOIS... INDIANA...KENTUCKY...TENNESSEE...ALABAMA...MISSISSIPPI...LOUISIANA AND TEXAS LATER TODAY THROUGH EARLY MONDAY. A STRONG LOW PRESSURE AREA NOW IN NORTHWEST KANSAS WILL MOVE TO WESTERN IOWA THIS EVENING BEFORE CONTINUING NORTHEAST INTO SOUTHERN MINNESOTA EARLY MONDAY. ASSOCIATED WITH THE LOW...A BAND OF HIGH LEVEL WINDS WITH SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 100 MPH WILL OVERSPREAD KANSAS...OKLAHOMA...MISSOURI AND ARKANSAS LATER TODAY. THESE WINDS WILL SERVE TO STRENGTHEN THUNDERSTORMS LIKELY TO FORM EARLY THIS AFTERNOON IN ZONE OF INCREASING WARMTH AND MOISTURE INFLOW SOUTH AND EAST OF THE LOW. BECAUSE THE THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP IN AN ENVIRONMENT WITH WINDS THAT CHANGE IN DIRECTION AND SPEED WITH HEIGHT...AND BECAUSE THE STORMS WILL LIKELY LAST FOR SEVERAL HOURS...CONDITIONS WILL BE FAVORABLE FOR A FEW STRONG TORNADOES IN ADDITION TO LARGE HAIL AND HIGH WINDS. THIS IS POTENTIALLY A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THOSE IN THE THREATENED AREA ARE URGED TO REVIEW SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY RULES AND TO LISTEN TO RADIO AND TELEVISION AND NOAA WEATHER RADIO FOR POSSIBLE WATCHES...WARNINGS AND STATEMENTS LATER TODAY. STEVE CORFIDI LEAD FORECASTER STORM PREDICTION CENTER