- Friday, May 16, 2025
The US Midwest braces for multiple days of extreme weather including tornadoes, destructive winds, and large hail, with warnings stretching from Minnesota to New York and Texas.
By: Vibhuti Pathak
Severe weather conditions are sweeping across the United States Midwest, with the potential to impact millions over the coming days. The National Weather Service and NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center have issued a series of alerts, forecasting the likelihood of tornadoes, damaging straight-line winds, and hail the size of golf balls in numerous regions. The threat is expected to persist until Tuesday (20), affecting areas from the northern plains down to the Gulf and eastward toward the Atlantic Coast.
The situation is already serious in Minnesota, where several tornado warnings have been issued. Residents in and around Minneapolis, including suburbs like Coon Rapids and Blaine, have been asked to stay alert. According to The Weather Channel, a rotating wall cloud in the Minneapolis area on Thursday (15) prompted emergency warnings. A tornado touchdown has already been confirmed in the state, resulting in the destruction of a barn, heightening concern about the storm’s progression.
NOAA’s latest maps indicate a red zone stretching from Minneapolis through Wisconsin, northeast Illinois, northern Indiana, western Michigan, and into northwest Ohio — regions considered at the greatest risk for severe weather. Meteorologists warn that these areas could see golf ball-sized hail, powerful winds exceeding 75 mph, and widespread power outages.
As the storm system moves eastward and southward, Friday could see dangerous weather outbreaks in several key urban centers. Cities such as Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Louisville, Nashville, and St. Louis are likely to face damaging winds, thunderstorms, and potential tornadoes. High wind gusts pose a significant threat to power infrastructure across southeast Missouri, southern Illinois, southern Indiana, and parts of Kentucky.
By Saturday, the storm threat will begin to expand into the eastern U.S., with states such as New York potentially in the path of scattered severe storms. Houston and other parts of Texas may also see weather disruptions as the system continues its spread.
Forecasters are particularly concerned about the unpredictable nature of this storm system. NOAA expects that thunderstorms will remain active from Sunday through Tuesday, increasing the risk of flash flooding, further tornadoes, and localized damage. The mid-Atlantic states could experience isolated severe storms, extending the impact zone significantly.
Authorities are urging residents across the affected states to stay informed through local news, weather apps, and official emergency alerts. Families are advised to prepare emergency kits, identify safe shelter spots, and secure loose outdoor items that could become hazardous during high winds.
This prolonged stretch of severe weather highlights the early intensity of the spring-summer storm season in the US, driven by unseasonably warm temperatures and high atmospheric instability. Emergency response teams and meteorologists continue to monitor conditions closely as the threat evolves.
