Severe weather outbreak brewing with potential strong, long track tornadoes targeting millions in Midwest

02:10

Expanding severe weather threat targets 55+ million to start the work week, with tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds expected

EXPANDING THREATS 🌪️: The severe weather threat grows on Monday, reaching more than 55 million Americans. Eight states across the Midwest and Mississippi Valley are under a Level 3 out of 5 risk, with St. Louis in the bullseye. FOX Weather meteorologists Melanie Black and Michael Estime break down what’s to come:

More than 55 million Americans across the Midwest and Mississippi Valley are in the threat zone for a brewing severe weather outbreak expected to develop on Monday, with the potential for large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes.

This comes after days of severe weather impacted the South and central U.S., resulting in numerous tornadoes, giant hail and vicious winds.

MILLIONS AT RISK ACROSS PLAINS AS LARGE HAIL, POSSIBLE INTENSE TORNADOES RETURN TO KANSAS, OKLAHOMA

One confirmed, monstrous EF-4 tornado tore through Enid, Oklahoma, on Thursday evening, leaving a trail of destruction in its path.

Local officials reported significant damage on the city’s southern side, particularly in the Gray Ridge area. After the tornado passed, officials said some residents were trapped in homes and storm shelters.

PHOTOS: VIOLENT TORNADO RATED AS EF-4 THAT TORE THROUGH ENID, OKLAHOMA, UNLEASHING DEVASTATING DAMAGE

Enid Mayor David Mason told FOX Weather on Friday that at least 40 homes were damaged in the Gray Ridge area.

"I am very grateful to report that while homes have sustained significant damage, there have been no fatalities and only minor injuries," Mason said.

00:40

Destructive EF-4 Tornado Confirmed in Oklahoma

:rotating_light:DEVASTATING DESTRUCTION: The monster tornado that ripped through Enid, Oklahoma has been officially rated as an EF-4. Stay with FOX Weather for the latest tracking more severe weather all weekend long. #Oklahoma #Tornado #Damage #History #FOXweather

Severe weather tore through Texas neighborhoods as well, leaving a trail of destruction that displaced 20 families and caused several injuries. Wise County Judge J.D. Clark confirmed one death resulted from the storms.

LEVEL 4/5 RISK: GIANT HAIL, STRONG TORNADOES TARGET PLAINS AGAIN AS DANGEROUS SEVERE STORMS FIRE UP

According to the FOX Forecast Center, Monday’s outbreak could produce dangerous supercells capable of all severe hazards, like large hail, damaging winds and strong tornadoes.

NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has issued a Level 3 out of 5 risk of severe storm threat across parts of the Midwest and Mississippi Valley, including eight states such as Missouri, Wisconsin and Iowa. Forecasters say St. Louis, MO, could see some of the greatest impacts.

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Meanwhile, a broader Level 2 out of 5 risk stretches from the Central Plains through the Ohio Valley and into the Southeast, including major cities such as Chicago, Indianapolis, Memphis and Little Rock.

The FOX Forecast Center said the severe weather outbreak is expected to develop Monday afternoon ahead of a cold front and dryline.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

These storms will move into warm, moist and unstable air, an environment that is perfect for severe weather to ignite.

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At the same time, the system developing Sunday across the central Plains will quickly move towards the Northeast, pulling a surface low into the Upper Mississippi Valley.

SEVERE WEATHER EXTENDS INTO THE WEEKEND AS MILLIONS BRACE FOR 'MARATHON' THREAT

As this occurs, a warm front will rapidly form northward, fueled by a strong low-level jet stream, leading to widespread rainfall. This may limit how far north the severe weather will develop.

02:03

Watch: Massive stovepipe tornado blasts area next to Vance Air Force Base

Massive stovepipe tornado blasts Vance Air Force Base on Thursday, April 23, 2026. Vance Air Force Base announced early Friday that it will remain closed until further notice, as crews work to restore power and water. Officials have not yet released details on the extent of any other damage or injuries at the base.

Forecasters say the intensity of Monday's severe storms will depend on how Sunday's storms unfold.

If the storms are not as widespread across the Plains, more moisture and instability may stream into the lower Mississippi Valley, potentially supporting a higher-end severe weather event on Monday.

SEE IT: DESTRUCTIVE TORNADOES RIP ACROSS NORTHERN OKLAHOMA, LEAVING WIDESPREAD DAMAGE IN THEIR PATH

That said, severe storms are expected to continue further south from Texas to the Tennessee Valley, where a Level 2 out of 5 severe threat exists for Tuesday.

TUESDAY: MORE SEVERE STORMS LIKELY

Severe thunderstorms are also possible Tuesday afternoon and evening, primarily across the lower Mississippi Valley.

A Level 2 out of 5 severe storm threat encompasses an area from northeast Texas into central Kentucky, according to the FOX Forecast Center.

A large storm system will continue to strengthen as it moves northeast across the Great Lakes. This is the same system that is expected to bring severe storms on Monday.

HOW HIGH PRESSURE AND LOW PRESSURE DRIVE THE WEATHER

At the same time, a new area of low pressure is expected to develop near the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles.

This setup will stretch a cold front across the Plains and into the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys, where showers and thunderstorms are likely to form as the front slowly moves southeast.

There's still some uncertainty because earlier storms and leftover boundaries from Monday could affect how things quickly unfold on Tuesday. 

02:58

Watch: Deadly storms leave trail of destruction in Runaway Bay, Texas

Overnight, severe storms hit Runaway Bay, Texas, leaving at least one person dead, injuring several others, and displacing 20 families. A disaster declaration has since been declared.

Even so, the overall setup supports the chance for stronger storms along and just south of the front, especially from eastern Oklahoma and northeast Texas into the Mississippi Valley.

Some of these storms could become more organized and produce large hail, damaging winds and possibly a tornado or two.

Stay with FOX Weather for the latest updates on these storms so we can help keep you safe.