A significant, widespread, damaging wind and severe tornado event is unfolding now across a large portion of the Mid West, just days after a violent, record-breaking tornado outbreak occurred southeast of this region.
According to the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center, widespread severe wind gusts of 60-75 mph along with at least a few tornadoes are likely from mid afternoon through early tonight across the Mid-Missouri Valley to the Upper Mississippi Valley. Embedded gusts of 75-100 mph and a strong tornado or two are also possible, particularly from extreme eastern Nebraska across western to northern Iowa and southeastern Minnesota.
Due to these threats, the National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch across a broad area that includes portions of Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and South Dakota until 8pm central time.
Many Tornado Warnings are also being issued for severe cells within this Tornado Watch. People are urged to take immediate action to protect their lives if a Tornado Warning is issued; they may only have moments to save themselves from extreme danger.
The National Weather Service is warning of the especially potent damaging wind gusts and violent tornado expected to peak between 6 and 11 pm this evening.
The storm system responsible for this severe weather is due to race north and east through the northern Great Lakes into southeastern Canada late tonight into tomorrow, bringing an end to the severe weather outbreak in the U.S.
