Severe Weather, Including a Tornado Risk, Is Forecast for the Central U.S.

Severe-weather season has begun across the Plains, and forecasters are predicting four days of severe weather that could include tornadoes and large hail.

The area of risk extends from South Dakota to southern Texas beginning on Thursday and shifts east through Sunday. Cities such as Oklahoma City, Kansas City and Dallas could experience severe storms at some point during the period.

Here is what to expect and when.

Hail up to three inches in diameter on Thursday

Forecasters believe that hail the size of teacups could fall and that a strong tornado or two could form across western Kansas as early as this afternoon and into this evening.

Slightly smaller, but still large, hail two-and-a-half inches in diameter could fall across northwest Texas and in central Oklahoma into the night on Thursday and into Friday morning. A few tornadoes are possible in this region, but the risk is lower.

The threat moves slightly east on Friday

Tornadoes, some possibly becoming strong, could form on Friday across portions of Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri, including Kansas City.

The most severe storms are likely to occur in the afternoon and into the evening, with a chance of hail and damaging winds.

A similar pattern on Saturday

On Saturday, the risk becomes more widespread from Texas to Michigan, including Dallas and Milwaukee.

The greatest threat for strong tornadoes returns to the central and southern Plains, again including Oklahoma City and Kansas City. Hail ranging in size from golf balls to baseballs could fall and damaging winds would be possible.

Uncertainty for Sunday

The threat of severe thunderstorms will continue into Sunday, but the precise locations of the areas at greatest risk are unclear, forecasters said Thursday.