All eyes are on the nation’s midsection early this week as an outbreak of severe storms, including tornadoes, takes aim at the Plains. Here are four things you should know about Tuesday’s looming severe weather threat. NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center (SPC) on Monday afternoon placed a swath from southern Nebraska to central Kansas and central Oklahoma in a moderate risk for severe storms Tuesday.

A moderate risk is the second highest of the five categories SPC uses to outlook areas of possible severe weather. When a moderate risk is issued, widespread severe storms are likely, including supercells. The most intense supercells could produce strong tornadoes and large hail two inches or greater in diameter. It should be noted that the potential for large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes will also exist in areas farther to the east and south of the moderate risk. In those areas, SPC has issued either an enhanced or slight risk of severe storms. FULL REPORT