As Memorial Day weekend kicks off, more than 70 million people are facing the looming threat of severe weather in parts of Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. The forecast includes intense tornadoes, baseball-sized hail, and hurricane-force winds, creating a potentially dangerous situation for residents and travelers in the region.
Storm chasers have captured footage of ominous skies in Oklahoma City, where blue skies quickly give way to dark, swirling clouds as tornadoes begin to form. Meteorologists warn that the risk of tornadoes typically increases as the sun sets, as the atmosphere has been primed throughout the day by the sun's energy.
Tornado watches are in effect across Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, with particular concern for areas including Wichita, Oklahoma City, and Wichita Falls. These regions are under a 'particularly dangerous situation' alert, indicating the potential for strong, violent, and long-lived tornadoes.
The severe weather threat extends into the evening hours, with multiple tornado warnings issued in various areas. The risk of damaging wind gusts up to 84 mph and large hail up to the size of grapefruits adds to the dangerous conditions.
The highest tornado risk is forecasted to be EF2 or greater, with the possibility of discrete supercells producing violent tornadoes. As the storms organize into a line, the threat transitions to damaging winds and hail, extending into Missouri and the Ohio Valley overnight.
Millions of people are urged to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety during the holiday weekend. The threat of severe weather is expected to persist through Sunday, requiring residents to remain alert and prepared for rapidly changing conditions.
