The central US is facing the potential of a dangerous severe weather event at the end of the weekend with a threat of a derecho reaching Kansas and Oklahoma. This follows another deadly derecho that hit Texas and Louisiana. Severe Thunderstorm Watches were issued for numerous states including Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, with NOAA designating the situation a “particularly dangerous situation.” The watch includes multiple cities across several states marking the beginning of a multiday severe weather threat affecting millions through the Midwest. The threat is expected to continue into the workweek.
NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center raised the severe weather threat, focusing on central Kansas where destructive wind gusts and large hail are anticipated. The threat will extend to the Plains and Midwest on Monday and Tuesday, impacting millions of individuals. Potential direchos bring an increased chance of severe thunderstorms with potential destructive wind gusts up to 100 mph and large hail. Hazard levels were raised for many cities in Kansas and Oklahoma. Life-threatening weather conditions such as tornadoes, damaging winds, and hail are expected.
With a high risk for severe storms on Sunday, there is great concern for supercells that could develop into bow echoes, potentially causing damaging winds up to 100mph in certain areas. The elevated risk in Kansas across major cities highlights the unique severity of the situation. The focus is on winds strong enough to cause significant damage as well as baseball-sized hail. The forecast indicates potential swaths of extreme wind gusts and conditions similar to a Category 2 hurricane on Monday. Apart from Kansas and Oklahoma, northwest Oklahoma residents, as well as Topeka, Wichita, Hays, and Woodward will also be impacted by possible severe weather.
Monday’s risk of severe weather spans across multiple states and includes Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, threatening damaging wind gusts, large hail, and tornadoes. Cities like Kansas City, Milwaukee, and Chicago are all at risk under a Level 2 threat. On Tuesday, the Level 3 risk identified by the SPC will affect more than 9.5 million people in seven states. Efforts to prepare for damaging wind gusts, hail, and tornadoes will be necessary. Additionally, a Level 2 risk is identified for more than 31.5 million people from Oklahoma to Michigan including cities like Oklahoma City, St. Louis, Minneapolis, and Green Bay. Severe weather remains a significant concern throughout the forecast period.
