Powerful tornadoes and hurricane-force winds threaten six US states today

A dangerous storm system is taking aim at a large swath of the US, with the threat expected to stretch well into the night. Meteorologists warned that six US states face dangerous weather today, with severe storms and flash flooding threatening parts of the region well into the night . A strong weather disturbance is moving out of New Mexico toward the Texas Panhandle. It is helping thunderstorms develop as warm, moist air flows north into the region.

Texas , Oklahoma , Kansas , Missouri , Arkansas and Iowa are among the states at risk. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) indicates a 10 percent chance of tornado activity from central Oklahoma into south-central Kansas. The strongest winds could reach hurricane force across parts of Oklahoma and northern Texas, including Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Wichita Falls and Denton. Meteorologist Ryan Hall said in a statement: 'The most likely period for severe storms is this afternoon through tonight, with the greatest concern from central Oklahoma into south-central Kansas and then northeastward toward the Missouri Valley. 'Farther south into west-central Texas, storms should be weaker overall but may still produce damaging wind gusts and an isolated tornado during the evening .'

Meteorologists warned that six US states face dangerous weather today, with severe storms and flash flooding threatening parts of the region well into the night. Above is a tornado in Oklahoma in April 2026 A tornado watch has been issued for parts of Oklahoma, Kansas and northern Texas until 10pm Central Time Monday, as conditions become favorable for tornadoes to develop. The watch covers 73 counties across the three states, including areas around Oklahoma City and Norman in Oklahoma, Wichita in Kansas and Wichita Falls in Texas.

It was issued by the SPC at 1:25pm Monday. In Oklahoma, 39 counties are included, mainly across western and central parts of the state. Another 26 counties are covered in central and southern Kansas. In northern Texas, the watch includes Archer, Baylor, Clay, Foard, Hardeman, Knox, Wichita and Wilbarger counties. A tornado watch means tornadoes are possible, rather than that one has already been spotted. The SPC warned that some storms could initially develop into supercells, powerful thunderstorms with rotating updrafts that can produce tornadoes, damaging winds and large hail.

Later, storms are expected to merge into fast-moving lines, increasing the threat of destructive wind gusts. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) indicates a 10 percent chance of tornado activity from central Oklahoma into south-central Kansas The strongest gusts could reach 65 to 80mph, particularly where sections of the storm line bulge forward. Read More EXCLUSIVE America's Tornado Alley twists in terrifying new direction… as chilling map reveals even New York isn't safe from shifting highway of destruction: 'Everyone needs a plan' Forecasters remain uncertain about exactly where the worst winds will occur.

The area at risk of large hail has also been expanded north and east. Some storms could produce hail measuring one to 1.5 inches across. An earlier round of storms moving through western Oklahoma toward southern Kansas could also rotate, although less favorable conditions near the ground should limit their severity. The main threat is expected to develop by late afternoon along a boundary separating dry air from humid air across western Oklahoma and south-central Kansas.

Those storms will move quickly northeast, with damaging winds and a few tornadoes the main concerns. By early evening, a cold front is expected to catch up with the storms, helping them merge into a line and increasing the wind threat. That line will extend south into west-central Texas during the evening. Damaging gusts and a tornado or two remain possible there, although the overall severe weather threat should be lower than farther north.