Severe storms are expected to bring tornadoes, flash floods, and damaging winds to a large swath of the central and northern United States this weekend. The National Weather Service (NWS) and Storm Prediction Center (SPC) have issued warnings for multiple states, with the highest risk areas including Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, and parts of the Upper Midwest.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
The NWS has warned that 38 million people from North Texas to Michigan are at risk of severe weather, including tornadoes and flash flooding. The Upper Mississippi Valley, including parts of Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois, faces the highest tornado threat, while the central and southern Plains are under a hail warning. The storms are expected to intensify into the evening, with wind gusts exceeding 70 mph and rainfall rates of one to two inches per hour, raising flash flood risks.
Deeper Dive & Context
Storm Forecast and Warnings
The SPC has identified 11 states—including Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas—as being at risk of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. Major cities such as Chicago, Minneapolis, St. Louis, Kansas City, and Dallas are in the storm's path. The NWS has issued tornado watches for eastern Iowa, southeastern Minnesota, southern Wisconsin, northern Illinois, and northeastern Missouri.
Recent Tornado Activity
Over the past three days, there have been 37 preliminary tornado reports, with the worst day being Tuesday, which saw 31 tornadoes, primarily in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan. The storms are part of a multiday outbreak, with conditions favorable for rapid storm development as warm, unstable air collides with an approaching weather system.
Public Safety Measures
Authorities are urging residents to stay alert and prepare for severe weather. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has advised communities to remain cautious while assessing damage or removing debris, as more severe weather is expected. Experts recommend having emergency supplies ready, keeping phones charged, and avoiding flooded roads.
Long-Term Implications
The storms come as communities are still recovering from earlier tornadoes and flooding. The cold front bringing the storms is expected to shift temperatures closer to normal for this time of year in the East next week. However, the severe weather threat will persist into the weekend, affecting cities like Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo.