Large portions of the central United States are preparing for multiple rounds of severe weather in the coming days, according to the latest forecasts.
Starting Thursday, the Plains and parts of the South are expected to face strong thunderstorms and the risk of tornadoes.
Six states at risk Thursday
The National Weather Service said severe storms could impact parts of Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma on Thursday.
“Severe thunderstorms will be possible from northern Oklahoma into southern Minnesota on Thursday. Large hail to very large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes are possible,” the agency said.
Major cities in the potential impact zone include Kansas City, Wichita, Omaha, Lincoln and Des Moines.
More storms expected over the weekend
The threat doesn’t end Thursday. Additional rounds of severe weather are expected to develop over the weekend.
Forecasts indicate that storms could stretch from northeast Texas through the Ozarks and into parts of the mid-Mississippi and Ohio Valleys.
“Friday’s threat is most likely centered from northeast Texas into the Ozarks, but some thunderstorms could also extend into the mid-Mississippi and Ohio Valleys,” according to Weather.com. “This weekend’s threat appears centered on the Plains from Texas to Oklahoma and Kansas, extending to the Ozarks.”
Another round of storms could develop Monday across the lower Mississippi and Tennessee Valleys.
Forecasters say it is still too early to pinpoint exact impacts, but hazards may include large hail, damaging wind gusts, isolated tornadoes and locally heavy rainfall that could lead to flooding.
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