NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Severe weather continues to pose a serious threat in the nation’s heartland, with millions of people at risk of strong tornadoes. Following a series of damaging twisters in the Midwest and Ohio Valley, Michigan has been particularly hard hit.
The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center has issued Severe Thunderstorm Watches for various regions, including eastern Kansas and western and central Missouri, as well as western North Carolina, upstate South Carolina, and East Tennessee. The potential for large hail, destructive winds, and tornadoes, some reaching EF-2 strength or higher, looms over these areas.
The severe weather threat is expected to expand, with nearly 4 million people in Nashville, Tennessee, and Bowling Green, Kentucky, facing a Level 4 out of 5 risk of severe weather on Wednesday. An additional 14 million individuals, including Memphis, Tennessee, and St. Louis, Missouri, fall under a Level 3 out of 5 risk. The possibility of tornadoes, giant hail, and damaging wind gusts remains a concern.
While the highest threat of severe weather lies within the Level 3 and Level 4 risk zones, nearly 150 million Americans across the country are under some level of threat for severe weather on Wednesday. The forecast points to a significant increase in thunderstorm activity in Missouri, southern Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee later in the day.
As the severe storms shift south and east on Thursday, Texas faces the highest risk, particularly in the north-central and central regions, where supercells could produce large hail and damaging winds, with the potential for an isolated tornado. The broader severe weather risk extends from the lower Mississippi Valley and Southeast to the mid-Atlantic, with large hail and damaging winds being the primary concerns.
With the exact timing of these storms dependent on ongoing conditions, a continuation of flooding is expected, especially in eastern Texas, where catastrophic flooding has already been observed. Additional rain is anticipated, further exacerbating the risk. Prepare for severe weather in these areas and stay informed of any updates or alerts issued by local authorities.