Why this wildfire season is especially dangerous
A major overhaul of the Forest Service comes as the risk of wildfires increases. Experts have warned that this could affect responses and research.
Another round of severe weather threatened states across the central United States on April 17, with the possibility of thunderstorms, damaging winds, hail, and even tornadoes.
More than 22 million people live in major cities including Chicago. Kansas City, Missouri. Tulsa, Oklahoma. Wichita, Kansas. Forecasters said the weather is expected to be unstable across the central U.S. states from Texas to the Midwest, with the most serious risk of “strong to severe” tornadoes stretching from eastern Iowa to Wisconsin and northwestern Illinois, the Storm Prediction Center said.
Thunderstorms and heavy rain of 1 to 2 inches per hour could also cause scattered flash flooding, especially in areas where rainfall has already accumulated this week, the National Weather Service said.
The weather threat comes after several days of unstable weather earlier in the week, with multiple tornadoes reported. The Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported that at least eight tornadoes were confirmed overnight in Michigan between April 14 and April 15. The tornado that struck Juneau County, Wisconsin, on April 14 was the state’s deadliest since 2021, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, which also participates in the network. In Waukesha County, homes were destroyed and the roof of a church was torn off.
“This storm pattern is developing into a multi-day outbreak of severe weather, with the most dangerous conditions expected on Friday,” said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Adam Doughty. “Friday’s plan includes all the elements to prepare for significant severe weather, including destructive hail, damaging winds and tornadoes.”
Stormy week intensifies on April 17th
The severe weather week will peak on April 17, with the threat moving east, according to AccuWeather.
According to the Storm Prediction Center, the risk will start with the possibility of large hail and a few tornadoes, then transition into damaging winds by the evening, with gusts of 75 mph or higher.
In the Upper Mississippi Valley and Midwest, conditions prone to strong tornadoes could open a “window of opportunity” for supercell development. Hail larger than 2 inches in diameter and several tornadoes are possible in areas from south-central Kansas to northwestern Missouri, the Storm Prediction Center said.
“Those in the path of these storms should remain alert and prepared for action,” said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydinowski. “Those in the path of these storms should remain alert and prepared for action. Make sure your cell phone is charged and your alarm is activated, you have a shelter or safe place ready, and emergency supplies are stocked. Never drive on flooded roads, especially at night.”
Stormy weather expected to shift east into the weekend
AccuWeather reports that the severe weather threat will move eastward, extending from Arkansas to southwestern New York and covering much of Ohio by April 18.
Tornadoes, damaging winds, and hail are all possible throughout the region.
The threat should diminish by April 19, but thunderstorms and heavy rain are still possible in parts of the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, the newspaper reported.
