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A severe weather outbreak is expected to peak on Monday (May 18) across the central United States, bringing the potential for intense tornadoes, giant hail, dangerous winds, and flash flooding. This follows Sunday's destructive storms, which produced numerous tornado reports, baseball-sized hail, and wind gusts over 70 mph, particularly affecting Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota, and northwest Iowa.
According to the National Weather Service, supercell thunderstorms capable of producing EF3 or stronger tornadoes and softball-sized hail are expected to develop in the Central Plains by late Monday afternoon. Areas from the Great Lakes to Oklahoma and northwest Texas may also experience severe storms. The storm outbreak is anticipated to last through Tuesday.
The Storm Prediction Center has issued a rare Level 4 of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms from central Kansas to far northwest Missouri and southwest Nebraska. Such a high threat level is issued only about 14 days per year. Cities like Manhattan, Topeka, and Wichita in Kansas are in the zone of potentially the most destructive storms.
The severe weather threat will continue into Tuesday, with a Level 2 of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms from northern Texas to Michigan. The primary threats will be damaging winds and hail.
In addition to the severe weather, a significant wildfire risk exists from New Mexico to West Texas and southwest Kansas. Dry conditions, combined with strong winds, could cause any fires that ignite to spread rapidly.
Residents in the affected areas are urged to stay weather-aware and have multiple ways to receive warnings, especially overnight. The severe weather threat is expected to diminish as the system moves eastward by the middle of the week.