Watch as a powerful tornado hits Enid, Oklahoma.
Dramatic video captures a massive tornado hitting Enid, Oklahoma, showing the power and destruction of the severe weather.
Severe weather is expected to spread across much of the country through the first half of next week, potentially causing everything from flash floods, tornadoes and hail to high winds, wildfires and snow.
A “very active spring weather pattern” is expected for the central United States through Sunday, April 26, and into early next week, according to the National Weather Service, with strong winds and large hail threatening Kansas and Oklahoma.
“A complex weather scenario is unfolding today and into tonight, making the threat of very large hail and tornadoes more certain across Kansas tonight,” the NWS Storm Prediction Center posted on Sunday. “A conditional serious threat will extend south into Oklahoma.”
Flash floods threaten Midwest
Excessive rain can also lead to flash flooding. Sunday advisories are in effect for eastern Kansas, western Missouri, southern Iowa and Nebraska. On Monday, April 27, eastern Iowa and northern Illinois, including urban areas around Chicago, faced a “slight risk of excessive rainfall,” the NWS reported.
AccuWeather senior meteorologist Dan Pydinowski said Monday’s danger zone stretches about 1,000 miles from Mississippi to Wisconsin, with the “greatest threat of damaging storms” over the St. Louis area.
The NWS has also issued a winter weather warning for mountain ranges in Montana, Wyoming and Colorado, where some high-elevation areas could see half a foot to a foot of snow.
The National Weather Service in Pueblo, Colorado, predicts “winter weather will rapidly arrive late (Sunday night) into Monday morning with a mix of fog, freezing drizzle, and light snow.” Commuters should use caution Monday morning as ice is expected to build up on roads.
Tornado warning until Monday
Sunday’s storm system is expected to move east into Iowa, Missouri, Illinois and other areas in the central Mississippi Valley by Monday, April 27, bringing the potential for “large hail, strong to strong winds, and strong tornadoes,” the NWS said.
“Some particularly dangerous, long-track tornadoes are possible,” the Weather Channel noted. In another post on April 27, the magazine added, “Tornado intensities can reach up to EF3 or higher, and the threat continues throughout the night, so people facing a severe threat need a reliable way to receive alerts at bedtime.”
Oklahoma is still recovering after a series of tornadoes injured 10 people and damaged multiple homes Thursday, April 23, across Braman and Enid, home to Vance Air Force Base.
In a post on X at the time, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt urged residents in affected areas to “watch the weather, follow local warnings, and evacuate immediately if directed.”
Extreme fire danger also plays a role
Meanwhile, eastern New Mexico and far western Texas are also under very dangerous fire weather warnings. Low humidity and high temperatures, along with wind gusts up to 90 mph, are expected to continue into Sunday night.
The red flag warning will remain in effect until 9 p.m. local time Sunday, according to the ABC affiliate in Amarillo, Texas.
