A massive severe weather outbreak is barreling across the central and southern United States, putting over 100 million people at risk of destructive storms beginning today and stretching into the weekend.
Meteorologists are warning of a rare and dangerous combination of long-tracked tornadoes, wind gusts up to 80-100 mph, and hail the size of baseballs, with the potential for significant damage across multiple states.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued urgent alerts, forecasting an outbreak of severe thunderstorms from the Mississippi Valley to the Lower Ohio Valley starting this afternoon, with the threat expanding to the central Gulf Coast states and Deep South by Saturday.
“Significant tornadoes, widespread damaging winds, and large hail are likely,” the NWS stated in a morning bulletin, emphasizing the need for immediate preparation.
The agency highlighted that much of the danger will unfold overnight Friday into Saturday morning, a time when tornadoes are particularly deadly due to reduced visibility and sleeping populations.
AccuWeather, a leading private forecasting service, echoed the NWS warnings, reporting that the storm system could spawn “numerous tornadoes,” some of which may be strong and long-tracked, capable of staying on the ground for dozens of miles.
Senior meteorologist Alex Sosnowski noted that wind gusts could reach 80-100 mph in the hardest-hit areas, posing risks to structures, power lines, and trees.
“This is a high-impact event,” Sosnowski said, “with the potential to disrupt lives from Missouri down to Alabama.”
The Weather Channel has also sounded the alarm, projecting a “regional outbreak” with a focus on the South, where conditions are ripe for intense tornado activity.
Their latest models suggest scattered hail up to baseball size—approximately 2.75 inches in diameter—could pummel communities, threatening vehicles, roofs, and crops.
Meteorologist Jim Cantore stressed the multi-day nature of the event, urging residents to have multiple ways to receive warnings, such as weather radios and phone alerts, especially given the overnight threat.
Posts found on X reflect growing public concern, with users sharing updates from meteorologists and local weather services.
One post warned of “strong tornadoes, damaging winds, and very large hail,” while another cited gusts of 70-90 mph as a major hazard.
Though these posts align with official forecasts, experts caution that social media reports should be cross-checked with verified sources due to the risk of exaggeration or misinformation.
The Storm Prediction Center (SPC), a branch of the NWS, has placed parts of the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys under a “moderate risk” category for severe weather, with an enhanced risk extending southward.
This classification signals a high confidence in widespread storm activity, including the potential for EF-2 or stronger tornadoes, which can cause considerable destruction.
The SPC noted that warm, moist air clashing with a powerful cold front is fueling the instability driving this outbreak.
Emergency management officials are urging residents to prepare now.
“Think ahead,” the NWS advised, recommending that people secure outdoor objects, charge devices, and identify safe shelter locations.
The combination of high winds, hail, and tornadoes could lead to power outages, road closures, and property damage, particularly in rural areas where mobile homes are more vulnerable.
As the storm system progresses, its impacts will likely shift. Saturday’s focus will turn to the Gulf Coast and Deep South, where the threat of “significant tornadoes” remains elevated.
Forecasters warn that the overnight timing and potential for storms to strike after dark amplify the danger, as historical data shows nocturnal tornadoes are twice as likely to be fatal.
