Three people were killed after tornadoes tore through Oklahoma, and about 40 million Americans were at risk of severe weather on Thursday, forecasters said, the second straight day of tornadoes and storms to make their way across the central United States.
A tornado watch was issued Thursday afternoon for parts of the upper Midwest, including the Chicago metro area. A tornado watch means that weather conditions are favorable for tornadoes to form.
The Plains region has been the focal point of severe weather all week. Wednesday night, a severe storm produced tornadoes in central Oklahoma, Which also led to several injuries in addition to deaths.
For some in the central United States who are not threatened by severe weather on Thursday, the risk of flooding, rapidly developing wildfires and even heavy snow remains.
In the east and south, residents will enjoy unusually warm temperatures. Flooding will be a concern in the east, red flag warnings will remain in the west, and rain should continue to fall in the north.
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Here's what to know about the national weather forecast for Thursday:
3 dead in Oklahoma after tornado
The small town of Cole, Oklahoma, with a population of about 600 people, was severely affected “It's a tornado,” McLean County Sheriff's Deputy Scott Gibbon told NBC's “Today” show.
He added that officials responded to several homes where people were trapped inside. He added that one person died at the scene, and another died of a “heart-related problem” while being transported to hospital.
Authorities said a third person injured by the tornado also died, but it was not clear where the person was injured.
While Oklahomans are somewhat accustomed to tornadoes, the devastation “never gets easier,” he said. “This was one of the most significant tornadoes we have received in that area.”
video:See what tornadoes look like in Cole and other storms across Oklahoma
Severe storms and tornadoes are possible from Wisconsin to Texas
There is a slight risk of severe weather From the southern part of the plains to the Mississippi Valley Until Thursday night According to the National Weather Service.
A tornado warning was issued Thursday afternoon for much of northern Illinois, southern Wisconsin and parts of eastern Iowa. The clock in Illinois includes the Chicago metro area.
The potential for severe thunderstorms, which can include hail, heavy rain and tornadoes, extends from southern Wisconsin through central Texas, according to AccuWeather.
Areas where severe weather is likely on Thursday include:
- Southern Missouri
- Most of Illinois
- Almost all of Arkansas, including Little Rock
- Eastern Oklahoma
- Western Louisiana
- Northeast and Central Texas, including Dallas; Severe thunderstorms could approach Houston late Thursday night.
“High winds, hail, isolated tornadoes and scattered incidents of flash flooding are possible throughout this area through Thursday evening into Friday morning,” the weather service said.
A deadly and destructive year for hurricanes
With at least 66 people killed by tornadoes so far in 2023, according to the Storm Prediction Center, it has been an unusually deadly year for these violent storms.
The March 31 storm produced tornadoes that killed at least 32 people from Arkansas to Delaware, and days later a tornado left five people dead in Missouri.
At least 26 people died in Mississippi and Alabama when tornadoes during a late March storm carved a path of destruction through the Deep South.
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Flash flooding is possible in East Texas and Louisiana
Along with areas at risk for severe weather in the central United States, flash flooding is likely starting Thursday night in:
- East Texas
- Louisiana
- Arkansas
- Northwest Mississippi
- Western Tennessee
- Southeast Arkansas
- Western Kentucky
- Southern Illinois
- Southern Indiana
“Localized flash flooding is also possible Thursday night into Friday night in urban areas and at poor drainage sites,” AccuWeather said.
Red flag warnings have been issued for the Southwest and Midwest
Red flag warnings were issued in nine states Thursday morning, including an area of the country not normally at risk from fires.
New Mexico and surrounding areas have been under a red flag warning all week, but good news may be coming soon: Thursday is the last day expected for “critical” weather conditions in the region, according to the National Weather Service.
“Behind the dry line across the southern high plains, strong winds and dry/hot weather continue to pose a fire risk as predicted by the Storm Prediction Center (SPC), across much of New Mexico, the Texas/Oklahoma Panhandles, and adjacent areas of Colorado, southwestern Kansas, and western Oklahoma,” the NWS said. .
“Red flag warnings have been posted for much of this area, and any fires could spread quickly in the dry, high wind environment.”
A red flag warning has also been issued for large parts of Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee.
What is a red flag warning?
The NWS reminds Americans to never leave a fire unattended, properly extinguish all outdoor fires and never throw cigarettes or matches from a moving vehicle.
“If you are allowed to burn in your area, all burn barrels must be covered with a weighted metal lid, with openings no larger than 3/4 inch,” advises the NWS.
Red flag warning map
Heavy snow in North Dakota, Minnesota
Heavy snow is likely across northern North Dakota and Minnesota, as well as parts of Minnesota and Washington, starting Thursday morning and continuing into the afternoon. The NWS has issued a winter storm watch through Friday morning.
“Rain and snow will be the initial type of precipitation Thursday before transitioning to primarily snowfall Thursday evening,” the National Weather Service said. “Accumulating snow will be heavy and wet.”
Winter storm map
The East Coast is heating up
Fluctuating temperatures will continue in the East, with the region going from warm to “major cold” in less than a week. Temperatures have risen in the Southeast and the heat is now extending north, with parts of Virginia expected to reach 90 degrees on Thursday.
Below are some of the highest levels expected in the Eastern Province:
- Washington, DC: 87
- Charlottesville, Virginia: 91
- New York: 68
- Philadelphia: 78
- Charlotte: 86
- Atlanta: 84
US weather monitoring and warnings
National weather radar
Follow Jordan Mendoza on Twitter: @jordan_mendoza5.
