Thunderstorms are expected to cover nearly 250,000 square miles of the central United States until Wednesday night, putting about 90 million people at risk for severe weather, including cities such as Indianapolis, St. Louis, Detroit, Nashville, and Columbus, Ohio, according to meteorologists at AccuWeather. This same storm system is also causing blizzard conditions and high winds over a large area.
Although a major tornado outbreak is not expected, any tornadoes that do form could be dangerous and cause significant damage if they hit populated areas. While the scope of severe weather might not match the recent reports of tornadoes and severe weather incidents, AccuWeather advises everyone to take the threat seriously and pay close attention to any warnings issued.
The most significant risk of severe thunderstorms, including tornadoes, is currently forecast for parts of Illinois and Indiana, with Chicago being near the northern edge of this zone. Other metro areas such as Peoria, Springfield, Decatur, Indianapolis, Terre Haute, Lafayette, and Bloomington are also within the moderate-risk area for severe weather. There is a possibility of severe storms as far north as southeastern Iowa and as far south as central Mississippi and Alabama.
The severe weather could bring various hazards, including tornadoes, large hail, strong winds, and flash flooding. Property damage and power outages may occur as the storms pass through.
Furthermore, the storm is bringing strong winds of 40 mph or more over a half-million square miles. In parts of Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Kansas, and Colorado, winds exceeding 70 mph have caused dust storms and wildfires. The dust may spread eastward, affecting some areas and potentially limiting severe thunderstorm activity in those locations.
On the northwestern side of the storm, a band of snow extending from Colorado to Wisconsin is causing travel disruptions, with some areas expected to receive significant snowfall. Blizzard warnings are in effect for a large swath of the region, affecting interstates and causing very low visibility due to high winds.
In some areas of the central Plains, heavy snow and blowing snow were accompanied by thunder and lightning during the midday hours. The same dust carried in from deserts and southern High Plains can cause brown or red snow in certain cases, depending on the soil swept away. This multifaceted storm poses a risk to lives and property, causing widespread travel problems. Severe thunderstorms near busy airport hubs may lead to ground stops and airline delays, while strong crosswinds can result in truck accidents. Blizzard conditions could prompt road closures on major highways connecting the Midwest with the West. As the storm moves eastward, the Upper Midwest, including Chicago, may experience severe weather for Wednesday evening’s rush hour followed by accumulating snow for Thursday morning’s commute. The storm will spawn a new system along the Atlantic coast on Thursday, bringing severe weather to parts of the I-95 corridor in the afternoon and evening, as well as accumulating snow across the interior Northeast from later Thursday night into Friday. For advanced, ad-free safety features, consider subscribing to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app to receive hyperlocal severe weather alerts from expert meteorologists who work around the clock to keep you and your family safe.
