Severe Storm Outbreak Threatens Plains Through Midwest With 75-Mph Winds and Strong Tornadoes
Updated
Updated · The Weather Channel · May 12
Severe Storm Outbreak Threatens Plains Through Midwest With 75-Mph Winds and Strong Tornadoes
3 articles · Updated · The Weather Channel · May 12
Sunday and Monday carry the highest risk, with forecasters warning of a multi-round severe weather outbreak from the Central Plains into the upper Midwest.
A frontal boundary, dryline and low-pressure system are expected to fuel supercells capable of tornadoes, large to giant hail, damaging winds and flooding rain.
Saturday’s setup already includes a threat of very large hail, gusts above 75 mph and a few strong tornadoes in parts of Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa and nearby states.
Monday could become the broadest danger zone—possibly stretching from Texas to Michigan—with NOAA flagging potential for strong to intense tornadoes and saying risk levels may be raised.
The outbreak would mark a sharp shift after an unusually quiet start to May, when only eight confirmed tornadoes had been recorded through the first two weeks.
Is this outbreak proof America's deadly 'Tornado Alley' is permanently shifting east?
Why is this outbreak so severe if the 2026 tornado season is forecast to be near-average?
With AI predicting storms, how can communities translate better forecasts into fewer lives lost?