The growing threat of particularly strong tornadoes has prompted parts of the Midwest to issue the worst thunderstorm risks in months.
A broader outbreak of severe storms is possible across the central United States on Tuesday as a new storm system develops and intensifies across the region, just a portion of the region.
As of early Tuesday evening, storms were developing in parts of Texas, Oklahoma and northern Illinois. A tornado warning was issued near Pontiac, Illinois, where a tornado briefly touched down with hail that could be as large as a softball. Further south, hailstones the size of baseballs were reported in Buffalo Gap, Texas.
Three tornado warnings are in effect tonight, including parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Iowa.
More than 2 million people in northern Illinois and northwestern Indiana, including Peoria and Bloomington, Illinois, are at risk for Category 4 and 5 severe thunderstorms.
Although last week’s outbreak produced several deadly tornadoes, this is the first time since July 28, 2025, that severe storm forecasts have reached this high.
The Storm Prediction Center says this Category 4 or 5 risk area is where “multiple strong tornadoes (EF2 to EF3)” could hit later this afternoon and evening. Tornadoes of this magnitude can destroy entire floors of structurally sound homes and cause severe damage to large buildings.
Supercell storms prevalent in this corridor may also drop hailstones the size of lime or larger — large enough to dent cars and damage roofs.
These severe thunderstorms will move eastward and spread into more of the Great Lakes overnight, but lose some power by morning.
Wind damage, damaging hail and tornadoes are threats from Texas to Michigan, including areas outside the highest risk areas.
Cities such as the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, Oklahoma City, St. Louis, Chicago and Indianapolis may experience these powerful storms.
There is also a Category 3 and Category 5 severe thunderstorm risk for areas from Texas (including the Dallas-Fort Worth area) to southern Oklahoma, with the storms set to break out in the late afternoon or early evening in West Texas and move east from there.
Damaging wind gusts exceeding 70 miles per hour and hail larger than a baseball are the main threats from these storms. Tornadoes are also possible, and some can be very powerful – EF2 or stronger. In a tornado of this magnitude, mobile homes can be destroyed and roofs can be ripped off of well-built homes.
Powerful storms are still possible from the lower Mississippi River basin into the Ohio Valley early Wednesday morning, but the threat will return in the afternoon.
More than 55 million people faced Category 2 and Category 5 severe thunderstorms from Texas to Louisiana to Pennsylvania on Wednesday.
Damaging winds are the main threat for any storm Wednesday. Some tornadoes are possible, especially in the lower Mississippi Valley and parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
Widespread severe thunderstorms are not expected on Thursday.
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