The central United States is bracing for a relentless stretch of turbulent weather, with meteorologists predicting severe thunderstorms nearly every day through early next week.
While the upcoming pattern may not initially look as volatile as last week’s historic outbreak—which saw over 70 tornadoes in a single day—experts warn that the combination of warm sunshine, Gulf moisture, and a potent jet stream could easily trigger significant events.
According to AccuWeather senior meteorologist Alex Sosnowski, the activity begins in earnest late Wednesday. This first round will target a corridor from northwest Kansas through the Dakotas and into western Minnesota. Residents in these areas should prepare for wind gusts reaching up to 70 mph and frequent hail.
The threat intensifies on Thursday as the severe weather zone expands to cover roughly 2,000 miles, stretching from west-central Texas all the way into south-central Canada. A more concentrated risk of damaging wind, large hail, and tornadoes is expected to settle over eastern Nebraska, central Kansas, and western Iowa.
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“Even small disturbances in the atmosphere can trigger significant outbreaks of intense thunderstorms in late April and early May,” AccuWeather meteorologists cautioned, noting that the forecast remains fluid as new data arrives.
The weekend offers little relief:
- Friday: Severe risks shift toward a line from northeastern Texas into central Illinois and western Kentucky.
- Saturday: Spotty but intense storms may return to north-central Texas and western Arkansas.
- Sunday: Forecasters are eyeing this as a potential “major” day, with a high risk for powerful winds and tornadoes focused on eastern Oklahoma and the Four States region.
Travelers should prepare for potential ground stops and cancellations at major airports throughout the week. Because many of these storms are expected to persist after dark, officials are urging motorists to remain extra vigilant, as tornadoes and flash floods become significantly more dangerous to navigate at night.
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