This blog post summarizes the upcoming severe weather forecast for the Plains and Midwest. It outlines the potential for hail-for-south-midwest/”>tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds from Friday through the middle of next week, along with a risk of flash flooding due to repeated heavy rains and Gulf moisture funneled northward by atmospheric patterns.
Severe Weather Timeline: Friday through midweek
The forecast points to a multi-day period of severe weather across the Plains and Midwest. The threat sharpens this weekend.
While a few severe storms may occur on Friday in parts of the Plains, the risk grows in the days that follow as storms organize into clusters and potentially supercells. The setup involves a slow-moving western trough and an eastern high pressure system that transports Gulf moisture into the region, fueling unstable air and the potential for intense storms.
Friday and Saturday: the immediate threat
Saturday’s greatest risk is forecast across western Texas and extreme eastern New Mexico. Storm clusters may produce large hail and strong winds.
Southern Minnesota could also be touched by stronger storms on Saturday, bringing hail and damaging wind gusts, with the potential for isolated tornadoes from possible supercells. On Friday, a few severe storms could flare up in portions of the Plains, setting the stage for a more widespread weekend threat.
Communities in the most intense bands should be prepared for rapid weather changes. There is a possibility of power outages or property damage from hail and wind.
Sunday: scattered activity from the Southern Plains to the upper Midwest
Sunday brings another round of scattered severe storms or clusters stretching from the Southern Plains toward the upper Midwest. Tornadoes remain possible if supercells develop.
Many storms are expected to be driven by hail and damaging straight-line winds. The risk areas are shown as darker shaded regions on forecast maps, indicating where storms could be most intense.
Residents across these zones should remain weather-aware. Have a plan in place in case watches or warnings are issued.
Extended outlook: Monday to Wednesday and beyond
The weather pattern suggests lingering instability into next week. On Monday, scattered severe storms could develop from the Southern Plains into the upper Mississippi Valley.
Tuesday appears to have the potential to be more active, with widely scattered severe thunderstorms from Texas to the Midwest capable of producing tornadoes, hail, and damaging winds. Wednesday could bring additional scattered storms from parts of Texas into the mid-Mississippi Valley and the Great Lakes region.
The threat may persist into late next week as the atmosphere remains conducive to thunderstorm development across a broad swath of the central United States.
Flood risk and climate context
Repeated rounds of heavy rain over multiple days could trigger flash flooding across parts of the Plains and Midwest. These areas are already contending with drought.
The meteorological setup—a slow-moving western trough paired with an eastern high pressure system—helps funnel Gulf moisture northward, increasing the rainfall potential in addition to the thunderstorm threat. Even storms that do not produce tornadoes can still pose significant flood and wind hazards if rainfall rates are high enough and storms train over the same locations.
Preparedness and safety: practical steps for the public
With multiple days of potentially severe weather ahead, it is vital to stay informed and ready.
The following actions can reduce risk during this active period:
- Keep a close eye on local forecasts and weather alerts through trusted channels to receive timely watches and warnings.
- Know your safest place at home and at work for tornado warnings.
- Practice a quick communication plan with family members or coworkers.
- Prepare an emergency kit with water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, a first-aid kit, and important documents in a waterproof container.
- Secure outdoor objects and identify a sheltering strategy for your community or school if you are in a high-hazard zone.
- If flash flooding is possible, do not drive through flooded roadways.
- Turn around, don’t drown, and seek higher ground if needed.
Here is the source article for this story: Severe Weather, Including Tornadoes, Ramps Up In Plains This Weekend, Spreads To Midwest Next Week