This article reviews the latest forecast for severe weather across the United States, outlining the potential outbreak risks this weekend into next week. It highlights the regions under threat and practical steps residents can take to warnings-safety-tips-and-forecast/”>stay safe as storms move from the South and Plains into the upper Midwest and Mississippi Valley.
It also recaps recent storm activity and what that implies for preparedness in the weeks ahead.
What to expect this weekend and into early next week
Forecasters warn that severe weather will persist and could escalate into a multi-day outbreak on Sunday and Monday. The primary hazards are tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds, stretching from the South and Plains into parts of the upper Midwest and Mississippi Valley.
A line of showers and thunderstorms is already moving through the South, with the highest potential near Texarkana, Tyler, and Shreveport, where a few tornadoes and very large hail are possible. Beyond this line, scattered severe storms are possible from northeast Texas and southeastern Oklahoma to Mississippi, capable of damaging wind gusts and large hail, with some tornadoes likely.
As the day progresses, storms could ramp up this afternoon, though some areas may see activity hold off until mid-evening. A new boundary Saturday is expected to renew the severe threat, particularly in the evening.
Sunday looks concerning for supercell development across the central and southern Plains. Monday could spread the threat into the Mississippi and lower Ohio Valleys.
Regions facing the greatest risk
Forecasts point to a broad swath of risk, with several hotspot areas to monitor:
- The South and Plains today into tonight, especially near Texarkana, Tyler, and Shreveport, where tornadoes and very large hail are possible.
- A larger zone from northeast Texas and southeastern Oklahoma to Mississippi, where damaging winds and large hail are likely, with some tornado activity possible.
- Sunday: elevated tornado and hail risk across central and southern Plains—Texas through Oklahoma, Kansas, western Missouri, and Arkansas, with Nebraska potential on the edge.
- Monday: risk potentially expands into the Mississippi and lower Ohio Valleys, placing cities such as St. Louis, Kansas City, Little Rock, Nashville, Indianapolis, Chicago, and Des Moines on alert.
- Rainfall totals through Monday may exceed an inch across much of the Midwest, aggravating flood-prone and saturated areas and delaying river declines.
Timing, storm modes, and rainfall
Forecasters emphasize that a line of storms could trigger damaging wind events tonight in the South. Sunday could see a surge in supercell activity across the Plains.
The setup favors strong wind shear and warm, humid air, which can fuel intense tornadoes and very large hail. By Monday, the threat may shift eastward toward the Mississippi and lower Ohio Valleys, elevating the risk for urban centers and larger rivers.
Widespread rainfall through the weekend into Monday is likely to exceed one inch in many areas. Locally heavier totals could produce floods/”>flash flooding and slow river declines.
Locally heavy rain in Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, and the mid-South could flood roads, even in regions that are currently driest. Drivers are advised to avoid driving through standing water, as even shallow floods can be dangerous.
Safety, warnings, and preparedness
With a surge of severe weather on the horizon, residents in at-risk areas should maximize their access to warnings and prepare in advance. Key steps include:
- Monitor alerts continuously and have multiple warning sources active (weather radios, smartphone alerts, and local broadcast stations).
- Develop a family emergency plan that includes a safe room or interior space away from windows for tornadoes, and a plan for pets and vulnerable populations.
- Ahead of storms, check drainage and flood-prone areas around your property and have a readiness kit with essentials in case of power outages.
- Avoid driving through flooded roadways, as floodwater can be deceptively strong and has claimed lives.
Recent severe weather activity and takeaways
Thursday brought a notable surge in activity, with 17 tornado reports from Oklahoma to Iowa. There were more than 100 combined damaging wind and hail reports.
The Enid, Oklahoma, storm even triggered a rare a tornado emergency. Last week’s events included over 1,300 U.S. severe-weather reports, underscoring the persistent pattern.
Severe weather remains a major concern through the weekend and into early next week. Stay tuned to local forecasts, heed warnings, and prepare now to protect life and property as the atmosphere continues to prime for dangerous tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds across wide swaths of the United States.
Here is the source article for this story: Severe Weather Outbreak Could Spawn Tornadoes In Plains Through Monday