Storms containing all modes of severe weather including large hail, damaging wind gusts and tornadoes are set to target the nation's midsection.
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\r\nThe main target for severe weather will be the southern Plains where a low pressure system exiting the Rockies and a cold front pushing through the Plains will bring a clash of warm, humid air ahead of the front with dry, cool air behind. By this evening, powerful storms will erupt from east-central Texas to Oklahoma.
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\r\nThe government’s Storm Prediction Center has labeled the threat for today's severe weather a Moderate Risk as severe thunderstorms will likely impact much of central and eastern Oklahoma. Here, wind gusts of 65 to 75 mph, hail to the size of baseballs and tornadoes are all possible. This includes the metro Oklahoma City area. Flash Flood Watches have already been posted as rainfall up to 5 inches is possible from repeated rounds of storms.
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\r\nThe threat for very dangerous storms also extends to central and northern Texas and from northeastern Oklahoma into western Missouri and Arkansas. This includes Tulsa and Lawton, Okla. the Dallas metroplex, Springfield and Joplin, Mo., and Fort Smith and Fayetteville, Ark. Thunderstorms have already produced hail larger than baseballs and several tornadoes in central and southwestern Oklahoma earlier today.
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\r\nThere is currently a Tornado Watch active across much of eastern Oklahoma into east-central Texas, northwestern Arkansas, southwestern Mo. and northwestern Louisiana, including Broken Arrow, Okla. Springdale, Ark., Shreveport, La. and Dallas-Fort Worth. Several tornadoes with a couple intense tornadoes are likely this evening, especially along the I-44 corridor.

Though big thunderstorms are not unusual for the late summer and early fall, the weather pattern has been notably quiet with a lack of severe weather recently across the southern Plains. The last notable severe weather event was on August 13, when severe thunderstorms were reported. Edmund and Clinton, Okla., registered gusty winds that cause downed trees and powerlines.
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\r\nHistorically, southeastern Kansas into eastern Oklahoma, northeast Texas and western Arkansas are the prime spots in the U.S. for severe thunderstorms in early October.
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\r\nThe storm system will maintain its punch as it passes through the Midwest on Monday. Strong to potentially severe thunderstorms could develop from the Mid-Mississippi Valley into the central Great Lakes, including Chicago, Milwaukee, Indianapolis, St. Louis and Fort Wayne, Ind.
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\r\nMake sure you know the difference between a watch and warning should they be issued. A watch means that the ingredients for severe weather are present, and you should have a plan in place for acting. A warning means that severe weather is imminent, and you need to act fast to protect life and well-being. Make sure to remember the phrase, \"When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!\"