Severe storms are anticipated to belt the U.S. South and Midwest this weekend, with meteorologists warning that some tornadoes are possible.
Why It Matters
At least 42 people were killed as violent storms, including tornadoes, blasted the South last weekend. President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard to Arkansas, one of the hardest-hit areas.
The vulnerable region now faces the possibility of another round of destructive March weather.
What To Know
Animated weather footage from windy.com shows that as of Friday afternoon, the biggest threat in the affected states was strong wind gusts that heightened the risk of wildfires.
But the radar is expected to shift as storms barrel into the region this weekend.
Thunderstorm Radar
As of Friday, the region was clear of thunderstorms, according to windy.com footage.
Wind Gusts
Current wind gusts in the region expecting storms this weekend show the strongest gusts in western Missouri at 37 knots, or around 42 mph. By this weekend, gusts could hit up to 60 mph in the South, particularly Alabama.
Weather Radar
At the time of publication, the weather radar for the forecast area was clear.
By Saturday night, severe thunderstorms are expected to hit Missouri, western Illinois and eastern Kansas, AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tom Kines told Newsweek.
On Sunday night, a wider area will be affected. This includes southern Indiana, southern Illinois, southwestern Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, northwestern Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, eastern Texas, southern Arkansas and southeastern Missouri.
AccuWeather
“The main threats will be strong wind gusts of 60-70 mph, hail and flash flooding downpours,” the AccuWeather forecast said. “A few tornadoes may also be spawned by the strongest storms.”
The most likely chance for tornadoes will occur from Shreveport, Louisiana, to Memphis, Tennessee.
“We are not anticipating a tornado outbreak,” Kines said. “But it’s hard to say there won’t be any, because there certainly could be.”
AccuWeather’s forecast said eastern Kansas, Missouri, and western Illinois will be most at risk for severe thunderstorms.
What People Are Saying
NWS office in Memphis, Tennessee, in a forecast: “Thunderstorms will develop along a cold front Sunday afternoon and evening. A few could be severe along and south of the I-40 corridor. Primary severe weather risks will be damaging winds and large hail.”
NWS office in Birmingham, Alabama, in a forecast: “There is a low, 1 out of 5, risk of severe storms for Sunday evening across the northwestern portions of Central Alabama. The main threat will be that of damaging straight line winds with gusts up to 60 MPH.”
An NWS forecast while describing an approaching Pacific Northwest storm system: “This system will bring a round of mixed rain/snow into the upper Midwest Saturday night into early Sunday, while developing and expanding an area of scattered thunderstorms across the central Plains toward the Mid-Mississippi Valley ahead of a lifting warm front.”
What Happens Next
The storms are expected this weekend. Residents in the affected areas should follow their local NWS office for updates and weather alerts.
