Millions at Risk as Tornado Season Begins Early in Central U.S.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued warnings for a significant storm outbreak expected to impact much of the central United States as the spring storm season begins earlier than usual. Severe thunderstorms are forecast to start late Thursday in the Texas Panhandle, western Oklahoma, and parts of Kansas, with the strongest storms anticipated on Friday across Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri. The Storm Prediction Center estimates that over 6 million people are at the highest risk of severe weather, including strong tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds. Additionally, warm air from the Gulf of Mexico is clashing with cooler Canadian air, creating conditions for extreme weather. Temperatures in parts of the eastern U.S. are expected to soar 20-30°F (11-17°C) above average by the weekend, with highs reaching the 80s°F (27-30°C) in areas like Louisville, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C.