Millions Across the US Face Severe Weather Threat This Week

Millions across the US face severe weather threat this week, according to FOX weather forecasts.

The spring severe weather season is in full swing, with the FOX Forecast Center predicting another multiday severe weather threat for millions of people across the central United States this week and into the first half of the weekend.

Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected across the United States on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. However, the risk will increase as we enter the second half of the workweek. The southern and central Plains appear to be the target on Thursday, with NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center (SPC) rating the region as Level 2 out of 5 on a 5-point severe thunderstorm danger scale.

The situation on Thursday, however, differs from prior severe weather outbreaks.

The FOX Forecast Center predicts that an upper-level disturbance will arrive into the Southwest by early Thursday. As that component of energy hits the central United States, a low pressure zone will form at the surface, fueling the development of rain and thunderstorms.

Thursday’s severe weather warning runs from south-central Nebraska to central Kansas, western Oklahoma, and northern Texas. Hays, Dodge City, and Wichita in Kansas will be at risk, as will Woodward in Oklahoma and Lubbock in Texas.

The SPC predicted that a few supercell thunderstorms will form, capable of producing huge hail, damaging wind gusts, and even tornadoes.

The severe weather threat will then shift to the Missouri Valley and Plains on Friday, expanding its coverage.

Eight states, from Texas to Iowa, will be at Level 2 out of 5, including important cities such as Dallas and Waco in Texas, Oklahoma City and Tulsa in Oklahoma, Kansas City and Springfield in Missouri, and Des Moines in Iowa.

Thunderstorms will pose some dangers, including large hail and damaging wind gusts. However, the threat of tornadoes may be greater than projected on Thursday.

The severe weather threat will return to the southern and central Plains on Saturday, with North Texas, most of Oklahoma, and southern Kansas seeing the highest risk of storms for the first half of the weekend.

The SPC stated that afternoon heating will allow storms to develop, which might continue throughout Saturday evening.

The prognosis is expected to change as computer forecast models continue to study data. Download the free FOX Weather app and turn on notifications to receive important weather alerts and track forecast changes.

Tornado activity in April was above average, with 184 incidents.

According to the SPC’s most recent historical statistics, May is the most active month for tornadoes, with an average of 294 twisters.

In 2024, the center got 347 tornado reports, which is more than 10% lower than the average year to date.

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