Severe Weather and Tornadoes Strike Central U.S. This Week

Central U.S. – Another outbreak of severe weather could produce strong tornadoes and destructive winds through Tuesday, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Storm Prediction Center. The storms are expected to affect parts of the Plains, Midwest, and South.

On Monday, there were about 200 reports of severe weather, with over half being large hail. In Montague County, Texas, hail was reported to be the size of grapefruits, measuring 4.5 inches in diameter. There were also reports of tornadoes causing heavy damage, particularly in areas around Kansas City where wind gusts reached up to 75 mph, toppling trees.

The severe weather threat is shifting eastward, with parts of the Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee valleys at risk. Cities such as Birmingham and Huntsville, Alabama; Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee; Tupelo, Mississippi; St. Louis; and Louisville, Kentucky are on alert.

This series of severe events began last Thursday, impacting the Great Lakes and Midwest, before moving to the South and East. After a brief lull on Saturday, storms began to escalate again on Sunday, particularly in the Plains.

From Thursday through Sunday, there were more than 90 tornado reports, including notable EF2 and EF3 tornadoes in Wisconsin and St. Louis, respectively. The hardest hit was Marion, Illinois, where an EF4 tornado struck on Friday night, causing significant destruction. Additionally, tornado damage rated at EF3 was found in London, Kentucky.

As meteorologists continue to monitor the situation, warnings remain in place for affected areas. Residents are advised to stay informed about the latest developments.