Plains and the Midwest bracing for more severe weather, possible tornadoes
Forecasters said conditions could produce destructive supercells, with hail up to 3.5 inches wide and a tornado emergency already declared in Nebraska.
- On Sunday night, a dangerous storm system unleashed tornadoes across the Plains, including an intense supercell near Gretna moving at about 30 mph. The National Weather Service issued warnings as destructive thunderstorms flattened agricultural structures and toppled power lines.
- Meteorologists identified a volatile mix of heat, humidity, and high-altitude winds, prompting the US Storm Prediction Centre to issue a Level 4 risk for parts of Kansas and Nebraska. These conditions fueled rotating supercells capable of spawning tornadoes.
- Near Palmer, Nebraska, residents reported hailstones measuring 3.5 inches across, while Dannebrog and Ashton saw ice chunks up to 3 inches wide striking vehicles and roofs. Storm trackers filmed a tornado crossing I 29 near Salix, Iowa.
- Officials urged residents in Hebron, Nebraska, to seek cover immediately after the NWS declared a Tornado Emergency. Meteorologists stressed such rare escalations indicate potentially catastrophic events requiring immediate protective action.
- Hydrologists are monitoring rainfall totals as the Weather Prediction Centre warned that "training" storms could bring rain rates of 1 to 2 inches an hour, with isolated pockets seeing 2 to 4 inches overnight across southeastern Nebraska and the Iowa-Missouri border.
20 Articles
20 Articles
Plains Tornado Warning: Multi-Day Storm Blasts Midwest With 'Softball-Sized' Hail and Long-Track Twisters
A violent multi-day storm system is sweeping across the central United States, generating destructive tornadoes and giant hailstones that have forced millions to seek shelter. The National Weather Service alerts have placed major population hubs across Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota on the highest level of weather readiness. Meteorologists tracking the system warn that atmospheric conditions are ideal for producing long-track tornad…
By Taylor Ward, CNN. After a quiet start to May, the atmosphere over the central United States is ripe for an outbreak. A volatile stretch of severe thunderstorms is beginning to develop across the Plains and Midwest and is expected to last through Tuesday, bringing the risk of intense tornadoes—EF3 or stronger—hail, destructive winds, and torrential rain to a region where the most dangerous storms of spring often arrive with considerable force.…
Plains and the Midwest bracing for more severe weather, possible tornadoes
Severe weather outlook for Monday, May 18, 2026. (ABC News) (NEW YORK) — Residents in parts of the Midwest and Great Plains are bracing for another day of severe weather threats, including possible tornadoes, damaging winds and large hail. The severe weather, expected to extend into Monday and Tuesday, is forecast to be especially active from north-central Oklahoma up into Minnesota and western Wisconsin. The greatest risk areas, a level 3 out o…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 70% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
