Storms to Hit the Great Plains and Midwest, Bringing Hail and Tornadoes
Millions of people across the Great Plains and Upper Midwest are bracing for a dangerous weather event that began on Sunday and is projected to continue through Tuesday.
What’s Happening?
A powerful upper‑level system from the Southwest is colliding with a surge of hot, humid air across the middle United States.
This mix creates a volatile atmosphere that can spark intense thunderstorms, including rotating supercells capable of producing long‑track tornadoes.
Key Threat Areas
- Central Kansas
- Southeastern Nebraska
- Southwestern Iowa
- Northwestern Missouri
These regions have temperatures warm enough to fuel the storms. By Monday afternoon, a cold front and dry line will lift the “lid” on the atmosphere, allowing storms to grow rapidly.
Potential Hazards
- Hail: Up to baseball or softball size
- Tornadoes: Rotating cells can generate violent tornadoes
- Heavy Rain & Strong Winds: Expected through the night, affecting at least a dozen states
- Flash Flooding: 1–2 inches of rain from northern Minnesota to northeast Texas
Timeline
- Sunday: Event begins
- Monday: Rapid storm development; hazardous conditions linger through the night
- Tuesday: Danger spreads into the Ohio Valley under a lower level of threat; storms wrap up by the end of the day
- Post‑Tuesday: A wet period returns for Memorial Day weekend
Stay Prepared
The situation remains fluid. Residents should stay alert to updates from local weather services and prepare for possible tornadoes, hail, and flooding.
