Severe Storms Threaten Millions Across Midwest and South

Chicago, IL — Severe weather will continue to impact millions on Tuesday, bringing the potential for strong tornadoes, damaging winds, hail, and flooding rain across parts of the Midwest and South. Tornado watches are currently in effect from northern Mississippi to the Appalachians, including areas already affected by severe weather since late last week.

On Tuesday, there have been reports of tornadoes across several states. In Alabama, a brief tornado has caused tree damage near Waterloo. Another tornado touched down just southwest of Springfield, Illinois, while thunderstorm winds downed trees in Marshall County, Mississippi, and Hardin County, Tennessee.

The National Weather Service indicates that the severe weather threat will stretch across the Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee valleys, with the highest risk areas including Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. Supercell thunderstorms could produce EF2 or greater tornadoes, with widespread wind damage likely, especially as storms develop into organized clusters later in the evening.

Cities such as Birmingham and Huntsville, Alabama; Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee; and Tupelo, Mississippi, should remain vigilant for possible severe weather throughout the day, with storms potentially extending as far south as Atlanta overnight.

This unusual rash of severe weather began last Thursday in the Great Lakes and Midwest, spreading impacts through the South and East on Friday. In total, more than 90 tornado reports have been filed from Thursday through Sunday, with notable EF2 and EF3 tornadoes reported in various locations.

As we look beyond Tuesday, a pattern shift may lessen the severe weather threat later in the week, although isolated thunderstorms could still occur along the Southeast Coast and parts of Virginia. Residents in the Southern and Central Plains should also prepare for possible severe storms late in the week.

As the weather continues to develop, officials urge individuals to stay informed through proper weather channels and heed any warnings.