Wild Weather Whiplash: Storms, Tornadoes, and Fires Sweep the Nation

A massive storm is set to unleash a variety of extreme weather conditions across the central United States, starting today. This storm will bring a mix of severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricane-force winds, and a high risk of wildfires. The storm's path will affect millions of people from the Mississippi Valley to the South, and even up into the Midwest. The most immediate threat is the severe thunderstorm outbreak, which is expected to intensify late Friday afternoon. This outbreak could potentially stretch over 900 miles, from Louisiana all the way up to Minnesota. The risk is highest in areas like central Iowa, northern Mississippi, and cities such as Des Moines, St. Louis, and Memphis. People in these areas should be prepared for damaging winds, some of which could reach hurricane strength, up to 100 mph. The storm will also bring a significant risk of tornadoes. The greatest danger for strong tornadoes, rated EF2 or higher, will be felt from western Illinois and southeastern Missouri down to northern Mississippi. This includes major cities like St. Louis and Memphis. The threat of tornadoes will continue into Saturday, with the South being particularly at risk. The Storm Prediction Center has warned of a "particularly volatile scenario" for destructive severe storms in this region. The storm will also bring powerful, hurricane-strength wind gusts to the Plains, with gusts up to 90 mph possible. These winds could cause significant damage, including downed power lines, snapped tree branches, and hazardous travel conditions. The winds will also create extremely critical fire weather conditions, with a high risk of wildfires across parts of the Southern Plains. Any spark could quickly turn into a wind-driven inferno, especially with the current drought conditions and dry fuels. The northern side of the storm will bring its own set of problems. Snow, possibly mixed with ice, will fall in the north-central US starting Friday night. While only a few inches of snow are expected, the storm's powerful winds will cause significant blowing and drifting, leading to blizzard conditions in some areas. This could make travel difficult or even impossible, as visibility could be reduced to just a few feet. The storm's unpredictable nature means that weather conditions can change rapidly. People in affected areas should stay alert and be prepared to take shelter if necessary. The National Weather Service has urged residents to have multiple ways to receive warnings, including a way to be alerted if they are sleeping. This is especially important given the increased risk of nighttime tornadoes, which are nearly twice as likely to be deadly as daytime tornadoes. The storm's unpredictable nature means that weather conditions can change rapidly. People in affected areas should stay alert and be prepared to take shelter if necessary. The National Weather Service has urged residents to have multiple ways to receive warnings, including a way to be alerted if they are sleeping. This is especially important given the increased risk of nighttime tornadoes, which are nearly twice as likely to be deadly as daytime tornadoes.