Severe Weather Alert: Ferocious Storms and Tornadoes Threaten the U.S.—Safety Tips and Live Updates

Update: A volatile atmospheric setup is driving a multi-day tornado outbreak across the central United States, and forecasters warn the threat is far from over. Regional overview • Monday 16 June – Minnesota: A moist, highly unstable air mass spawned several supercells. Survey teams have already confirmed at least four tornadoes, including a longer-track twister near Fergus Falls and an EF-1 that ripped the roof off a barn near Bertha, Todd County. Baseball-size hail (up to 3.25 in) pummeled Waconia, while 4-6 in of rain caused flash flooding from Minnesota Lake to Alden. • Tuesday 17 June – Plains to Midwest: A fast-moving derecho raced from eastern Nebraska into Iowa with hurricane-force wind gusts over 80 mph and more embedded tornadoes, producing widespread tree and power-line damage. • Wednesday 18 June – Illinois, Indiana, Ohio Valley: The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) upgraded the region to an “Enhanced” risk as a potent shortwave drags a cold front into deeply unstable air. Forecasters highlight the corridor from Springfield, IL to Indianapolis, IN for strong, fast-moving tornadoes, large hail and destructive straight-line winds. Evening storms may race into the Ohio Valley after dark, increasing danger. Why the atmosphere is primed • Gulf moisture: Surface dew points in the low 70s °F are surging northward, providing ample fuel. • Jet-stream support: A 100-kt mid-level jet is overspreading the warm sector, boosting wind shear and tornado potential. • Boundaries: Outflow from Monday’s storms has laid down mesoscale boundaries that can locally enhance rotation as new storms interact with them. What to expect through Thursday – SPC Day-2 outlook keeps a 30 % hatched wind and 15 % tornado risk from eastern Missouri into western Pennsylvania. – Additional discrete supercells are possible ahead of an overnight squall line, capable of producing EF-2+ tornadoes before merging into another bowing complex. – Flooding remains a secondary hazard where storms “train” over the same counties; 2-4 in of rain could fall in a few hours. Readiness checklist 1. Monitor NOAA Weather Radio or trusted apps for watches and warnings; lead time can be as little as 10-15 minutes. 2. Identify a safe room on the lowest floor, away from windows (storm shelter, basement or interior closet). 3. Have helmets, sturdy shoes, phone chargers and photo IDs ready in a go-bag. 4. After the storm, avoid downed power lines and report damage to local emergency managers. SEO keywords: June 2025 tornado outbreak, Midwest severe storms, SPC forecast, derecho winds, tornado safety tips, live radar updates. Stay with us for live updates as survey teams finalize tornado ratings and new watches are issued.