Millions of Americans across the Northern Plains are under threat from severe thunderstorms that could unleash tornadoes, giant hail, and destructive winds within hours. Forecasters have issued hazardous weather outlooks warning that conditions are favorable for intense storms across portions of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, and Minnesota.
Immediate Threat on Tuesday
Meteorologist Max Velocity stated on social media that the tornado threat is increasing across the Northern Plains today. He noted that a few supercells will develop between 3-7 PM, producing a risk of giant hail, damaging winds, and a tornado or two, adding that a strong tornado cannot be ruled out.
The Storm Prediction Center has warned that parts of North and South Dakota face up to a 10 percent chance of a tornado occurring within 25 miles of any given location on Tuesday, with a broader area across the Northern Plains under a five percent tornado risk.
Western and central North Dakota face the most immediate threat, with the National Weather Service (NWS) warning that storms could produce tornadoes, golf ball-sized hail, and wind gusts up to 70 mph.
South Dakota and Nebraska Risks
South Dakota remains in the crosshairs for repeated rounds of severe weather through Thursday. Conditions are expected to deteriorate later Tuesday across central and north-central South Dakota, where the NWS has issued a Level 2 out of 5 severe weather risk. Areas including Pierre, Mobridge, and surrounding communities could see hail up to two inches in diameter, wind gusts reaching 60 mph, heavy rainfall, and the possibility of isolated tornadoes by evening.
In western and north-central Nebraska, particularly across the northwest Sandhills, severe thunderstorms could develop late Tuesday afternoon and evening, bringing threats of large hail and damaging winds to communities near Valentine and Alliance.
Minnesota and Iowa Forecast
Farther east, scattered showers and thunderstorms are forecast across parts of southwestern Minnesota and northwest Iowa. While widespread severe weather is not expected, forecasters are monitoring the potential for stronger storms and gusty winds later Tuesday night.
Continued Threat on Wednesday
The threat is not expected to end after Tuesday. Additional rounds of severe weather are forecast Wednesday across parts of North Dakota and South Dakota, with forecasters warning that large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes could develop during the afternoon and evening hours.
The greatest concern is centered on northeastern, central, and north-central South Dakota, where tornadoes are specifically listed as a potential hazard alongside hail up to two inches in diameter and wind gusts reaching 60 mph.
Severe weather risks are also expected to increase across eastern South Dakota late Wednesday, particularly northwest of a line stretching from Lake Andes to Madison and Brookings, where hail larger than two inches and winds up to 70 mph are possible.
Weather officials are urging residents across the Northern Plains to remain alert and have multiple ways to receive warnings, noting that conditions can change rapidly once storms begin to develop.
