weatherliberal
When big storms roll in: Who’s most at risk this weekend
MidwestCentral Plains, Des Moines, USASaturday, May 16, 2026
# **Severe Storms Loom: Millions Brace for Baseball-Sized Hail and Tornadoes**
A dangerous weather pattern is taking shape across a vast stretch of the U.S., stretching from Wisconsin down to Texas. Starting Friday, **over seven million people** face the threat of **severe storms**, with **Iowa and neighboring Midwest states** under the highest risk for **giant hail and possible tornadoes after dark**.
### **The Storms Begin: Texas and Oklahoma Already Feel the Impact**
The pattern kicked off Thursday with **damaging winds and heavy storms** pounding Texas and Oklahoma. Wind gusts **topped 70 mph**, while a dramatic video from southern Kansas captured **bolts of lightning** slicing through the sky. Though a warm atmospheric layer may initially suppress storms Friday afternoon, **supercell thunderstorms** are expected to **break through by evening**, unleashing chaos.
Central Iowa in the Crosshairs
The Storm Prediction Center has designated Central Iowa under a moderate risk for severe weather, meaning baseball-sized hail is a real possibility. While tornadoes aren’t the primary threat Friday, the same volatile conditions could spawn them if the situation shifts. Other Midwest regions face lower-level risks, including scattered wind damage and hail up to two inches wide.
The Danger Isn’t Over: Weekend Storms Threaten More Havoc
This severe weather pattern isn’t going away anytime soon. After Friday’s storms, activity is expected to regroup Saturday, with isolated cells intensifying by evening and tornado chances rising again. The threat could linger through the weekend and into Monday, when forecasters warn strong tornadoes may develop in central Kansas and northern Oklahoma.
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