Millions of Americans face the risk of severe thunderstorms that may produce tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds in a matter of hours.
Meteorologists have released hazardous weather forecasts indicating that the conditions are conducive to severe storms in parts of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, and .
In a social media post on X, Meteorologist Max Velocity stated: “Tornado threat is increasing across the Northern Plains today!”
“A few supercells will develop between 3-7pm, producing a risk of giant hail, damaging winds, and a tornado or two. I wouldn’t rule out a strong .”
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The most perilous period occurs from approximately 5 PM MDT on Tuesday until 2 AM CDT on Wednesday, as initial high-terrain supercells in eastern Montana and Wyoming coalesce into a structured complex advancing eastward along I-94 and I-90, producing widespread straight-line gusts of 70 to 90 mph.
Tornado warning: Here’s what one should expect
Hail: Isolated supercells capable of producing stones of 2 inches or larger early in the event
Wind gusts: Localized gusts reaching 90 mph in a straight line once the system organizes overnight
Tornado risk: Localized but significant risk on Wednesday afternoon near a secondary surface low along the ND/SD border
Worst corridors: I-90 through Rapid City and Wall, I-94 from Miles City to Bismarck and Jamestown, I-25 in eastern Wyoming, and I-29 north of Sioux Falls
Flash flooding: WPC Slight Risk (Level 2/4) for North Dakota today
Daytime heating into mid-60s dewpoints is driving CAPE values between 1,500 and 2,500 J/kg, while veering mid-level winds at 40 to 46 mph and effective shear values of 45 to 50 knots maintain updrafts at an angle sufficient to support rotating supercells. A cold front and trailing surface boundaries are supplying the necessary lift.
Tornado alerts for North and South Dakota
The Storm Prediction Center has issued a warning indicating that certain regions of North and are at a risk of up to 10 percent for a tornado occurring within 25 miles of any specific location on Tuesday, while a larger area throughout the Northern Plains is under a five percent tornado risk.
The most immediate danger is present in western and central North Dakota, where the National Weather Service (NWS) has cautioned that storms may generate tornadoes, hail the size of golf balls, and wind gusts reaching up to 70 mph.
South Dakota is also poised to experience multiple rounds of severe weather through Thursday.
The threat is anticipated to persist on Wednesday, with severe thunderstorms predicted across central and extensive areas of South Dakota during the afternoon and evening hours.
Will condition worsen after Tuesday?
Conditions are anticipated to worsen later on Tuesday throughout central and north-central South Dakota, where the National Weather Service has declared a Level 2 out of 5 severe weather risk.
Meteorological authorities are advising residents in the Northern Plains to stay vigilant and ensure they have various means to receive alerts, emphasizing that circumstances can shift quickly once storms start to form.
