The threat of especially strong tornadoes has increased, with some parts of the Midwest now facing the most severe thunderstorm risk in months.
This is all part of a broader possibility of strong storms across the central United States on Tuesday, with new storm systems developing and strengthening in the region.
A severe thunderstorm threat level 4/5 has been issued for more than 2 million people across northern Illinois and northwestern Indiana, including Peoria and Bloomington.
Last week’s outbreak spawned multiple deadly tornadoes, but this is the first time since July 28, 2025 that forecasts for such severe storms have reached such high levels.
According to the Storm Prediction Center, this Level 4/5 danger area is where “multiple strong to intense tornadoes (EF2 to EF3)” could hit the area late this afternoon or evening. A tornado this powerful can destroy entire floors of well-built homes and cause significant damage to large buildings.
Supercell storms in this corridor can produce hailstones the size of limestone or larger, enough to dent cars and damage roofs.
These severe thunderstorms will track eastward overnight and spread into more areas of the Great Lakes, but will lose some strength by morning.
Wind damage, destructive hail, and tornadoes are all threats from Texas to Michigan, including outside of the most dangerous areas.
The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Oklahoma City, St. Louis, Chicago, and Indianapolis are the major cities where these powerful storms can form.
Areas from Texas to southern Oklahoma, including the Dallas-Forth Worth area, are also at risk of severe thunderstorms, at the highest level of 3 out of 5, with storms expected to develop in West Texas by late afternoon or evening and move east from there.
The main threats from these storms are damaging wind gusts exceeding 110 mph and hail larger than a baseball. Tornadoes are also possible, with strong tornadoes of EF2 or stronger possible. Tornadoes of this strength can destroy mobile homes and tear off roofs from well-built homes.
Powerful storms could continue moving from the Lower Mississippi River into the Ohio Valley early Wednesday morning, but a new threat could arrive in the afternoon.
On Wednesday, more than 55 million people from Texas and Louisiana to Pennsylvania were under a widespread severe thunderstorm risk level of 2/5.
The main threat from Wednesday’s storm is damaging winds. A few tornadoes are possible, especially in the lower Mississippi River Valley and parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
No widespread severe thunderstorms are expected on Thursday.
