Dear Restaurant Operators and Energy Managers,

Here’s your concise, actionable weekly briefing: an active severe weather pattern is ramping up across the central and southern Plains this week as a strong spring storm system tracks eastward, while a persistent warm ridge keeps temperatures elevated across the South and Southwest. This mix boosts patio traffic but introduces targeted storm risks and early cooling loads.

Severe Weather & Storm Alerts

Hurricanes or Tropical Systems: None active or forecasted for the continental US in the next 21 days. Likelihood of any impact: <1%.

Tornado & Severe Thunderstorm Risks:​
- 7-Day (Apr 13–19):Slight Risk Tuesday–Wednesday (Apr 14–15) across the central/southern Plains and lower Missouri Valley for large hail (1–2”), damaging winds (>70 mph), and a few tornadoes. Cities: Oklahoma City OK, Tulsa OK, Dallas-Fort Worth TX, Wichita KS, Kansas City MO/KS. Marginal risk lingers Thursday into the Ohio Valley. Likelihood: 20–30% any severe thunderstorm; 5–12% tornado in Slight-risk corridor. Quiet after Day 4.
- 14-Day & 21-Day: No major outbreak signals. Typical spring severe potential builds gradually. Regional likelihood of a notable severe day: 10–20%.

Restaurant Impact: Isolated wind/hail threats to outdoor seating, signage, and refrigeration units in the central corridor. Likelihood of operational disruption (brief outages or patio closures): 15–25% mid-week. Monitor closely and secure equipment.

Extreme Temperature Alerts & HVAC Impacts

Extremes defined as: highs >95°F, lows <40°F, or departures ≥15°F from mid-April seasonal averages. These accelerate cooling demand and strain early-season HVAC efficiency.

7-Day (Apr 13–19): Warm ridge dominates South and West.
- Hot extremes (highs >95°F + ≥15–25°F above avg, likelihood 65–85%):​
- Phoenix AZ and Southwest metros: 97–104°F peaks.
- Dallas TX, Houston TX, Las Vegas NV: 92–98°F with widespread record-challenging warmth.
- No cold extremes (lows <40°F or ≥15°F below avg) signaled.
- HVAC Impact: Sharp rise in AC runtime across the South/Southwest (efficiency drop 20–35% possible on systems still transitioning from winter). Energy spike risk: moderate-to-high (50–70%) in affected zones.

14-Day (~Apr 20–26): Above-normal temperatures favored across the southern tier and western US (per CPC). Likelihood of sustained warm pattern: 55–70%; notable anomalies ≥15°F above avg: 45–65%.

21-Day (~Apr 27–May 10): Above-normal temperatures continue to be favored for much of the CONUS, strongest across the South, Southeast, and Southwest. Likelihood of continued warm anomalies: 50–65% most areas; ≥15°F departures in southern zones: 40–60%. Cold extremes unlikely (<10%).

Restaurant Impact Summary: Mid-week storms pose localized risks in the Plains, but the broader warmth supports strong outdoor dining nationwide while driving up cooling costs and HVAC wear in the South and Southwest.

GWT2Energy Recommendations:​
- Prepare generators and secure patios for Tuesday–Wednesday storms in OK, TX, KS, MO markets.
- Prioritize AC tune-ups, coil cleaning, and filter changes in Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, and Las Vegas locations.
- Adjust scheduling and setbacks to capture efficiency gains from the mild pattern.

Best regards,
​The GWT2Energy Team​
Helping restaurants cut energy costs with proactive weather intelligence
www.gwt2energy.com | support@gwt2energy.com

Disclaimers & Compliance Note​
This informational newsletter draws from public sources including NOAA/NWS, Storm Prediction Center (SPC), Climate Prediction Center (CPC), and National Hurricane Center data as of April 13, 2026. Forecasts and probabilities are probabilistic and can change rapidly; actual weather may differ. Percentages reflect official outlooks or model consensus, not guarantees. GWT2Energy provides this for awareness only and disclaims all liability for decisions based on it. Always check official local forecasts and consult licensed professionals for equipment, safety, or compliance needs. Data accuracy is not warranted; users assume all risk.