Strong to intense tornadoes threaten Plains as multiday severe weather risk targets millions through midweek
NOAA's Storm Prediction Center has issued a Level 4 out of 5 risk of severe storms on Sunday, followed by a Level 3 out of 5 risk on Monday and Tuesday. Areas that were impacted by deadly tornadoes on Friday night are included in the Monday and Tuesday threat zones.
Tornado seen spinning through Oklahoma field on Sunday
Watch as a tornado spins in Arnett, Oklahoma, amid intense severe weather throughout the Plains.
WICHITA, Kan. – After more than two dozen people were killed by severe storms and tornadoes over the weekend, the threat of dangerous severe weather will continue to target millions of Americans in the Plains, South and Midwest through at least midweek.
NOAA's Storm Prediction Center issued a Level 4 out of 5 risk of severe storms on Sunday, followed by a Level 3 out of 5 risk on Monday and Tuesday. Areas that were impacted by deadly tornadoes on Friday night are included in the Monday and Tuesday threat zones.
Meteorologist Haley Meier travels in the FOX Weather Beast to deliver the latest updates while tracking tornado-warned storms
The FOX Weather beast drives through pea-sized hail, as we track the severe weather in Kansas.
A new round of severe thunderstorms ignited Sunday evening across the central and southern Plains and will continue through the overnight hours into early Monday morning.
Twister moving over Aurora, Colorado
A vortex seen moving down toward east Aurora, Colorado on May, 18, 2025.
A twister was spotted moving outside of Denver on Sunday afternoon as storms fired up.
A Level 4 out of 5 risk of severe weather is posted for southwestern and central Kansas and far northwestern Oklahoma.
Damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes are all significant threats from this round of severe storms. Several strong to intense tornadoes are possible, especially in the Level 4 risk zone.
(FOX Weather)
Of greater concern is that some tornadoes could occur after dark, which is one of the most dangerous times for tornadoes, as they are harder to see and often catch people off guard while they sleep.
People throughout Colorado have witnessed the large tornado moving across parts of the state on Sunday
The National Weather Service warns of more severe storms tonight with a chance of thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds
NIGHTTIME TORNADOES FAR MORE LIKELY TO TURN DEADLY THAN DAYTIME ONES
On Monday, a Level 3 out of 5 risk of severe weather is posted for parts of southeastern Nebraska, eastern Kansas, eastern Oklahoma, North Texas, western and central Arkansas and much of Missouri.
Similar to Sunday, damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes are all significant threats, including the potential for EF-2 or stronger tornadoes.
(FOX Weather)
FOX Weather will be live with extended coverage tracking the severe storm threat live from the FOX Weather Beast on Monday until midnight ET.
SEARCH AND RESCUE EFFORTS CONTINUE IN KENTUCKY, MISSOURI AFTER DEADLY TORNADO OUTBREAK DEVASTATES COMMUNITIES
Meteorologist Haley Meier is on the road inside the FOX Weather Beast as we track the severe storms set to ignite this evening
Haley Meier is reporting live from the FOX Weather Beast to provide real-time updates and track these upcoming severe storms in Kansas.
As the system shifts eastward on Tuesday, the severe weather threat is expected to expand into the mid-Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee valleys.
The highest threat of severe storms will be in the Level 3 out of 5 risk zone, which encompasses portions of northern Mississippi, northwestern Alabama and West and Middle Tennessee.
But eastern Missouri and Kentucky, still dealing with fresh scars from Friday night's deadly tornado outbreak, are under a renewed severe weather threat as well. The primary threats will be large hail and damaging winds, though the risk of a few tornadoes is also possible.
(FOX Weather)
The unsettled weather pattern is not expected to end on Tuesday, with rounds of showers and storms reaching the Eastern Seaboard by Wednesday.
While the severity of the storms likely won’t match what was experienced in the Plains and Mississippi Valley, rainfall totals could be locally heavy, and flash flooding may become a concern.
DUST STORM WARNING ISSUED FOR CHICAGO AS SKIES TURN APOCALYPTIC
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May typically sees more tornadoes than any other month of the year.
An enhanced jet stream over the central U.S. creates ideal conditions for the development of supercell thunderstorms.
Most of these tornadoes occur across the Plains, a region commonly referred to as "Tornado Alley."
According to NOAA data, May averages just under 300 tornadoes annually, ahead of both June and April.
This graphic shows the historic tornado probability in May.
(FOX Weather)