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Strong Thunderstorms Take Aim At Midwest, Plains

June 26, 2022
By WeatherBug's Richard Romkee
Strong thunderstorms will roam parts of the Upper Midwest and central Plains this evening.

High instability and moist air being pulled north will help generate thunderstorms near and along a cold front moving across the Plains and Midwest this evening. Storms that organized into a cluster near the Iowa/Illinois border will move southeast this evening through Illinois. A slight risk of severe weather has been issued by the government's Storm Prediction Center for LaSalle, Peoria, Quincy, and Springfield, Ill., and Saint Louis, Mo. Damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph are the main concern, though large hail and an isolated tornado are also possible. 

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for portions of western and central Illinois through Midnight CDT.

Further west along the front, isolated instances of strong thunderstorm wind gusts are possible stretching back through Missouri, southern Kansas, the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles, northeastern New Mexico, and southeastern Colorado. Heavy rainfall and flash flooding are also concerns in this part of the country, so if you encounter a flooded roadway remember to "Turn Around, Don't Drown!"

The Southeast may also see some strong thunderstorm winds this afternoon, particularly in the Florida Panhandle and Alabama up into central Tennessee. Heavy rainfall will accompany these storms.

All thunderstorms are dangerous regardless of their strength, so remember: "When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!". It is also important to know the difference between a severe thunderstorm watch and a warning. A watch means a severe thunderstorm is possible and you should be prepared to take action, while a warning means a severe thunderstorm is either ongoing or imminent and you need to take action. When a severe thunderstorm warning is issued, it is best to stay indoors and away from windows.