Weekend Weather Update from FOX Weather: Potential tornado outbreak threat grows for final week of April

Threat of tornado outbreak grows for Monday across Upper Midwest

NOAA's Storm Prediction Center has now issued a Level 4 out of 5 severe weather risk for Monday across cities such as Des Moines and part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. 

Welcome to the Daily Weather Update from FOX Weather. It’s April 26, 2025. Start your day with everything you need to know about today's weather. You can also get a quick briefing of national, regional and local weather whenever you like with the FOX Weather Update podcast.

Millions under growing threat of potential tornado outbreak from southern Plains to Upper Midwest Monday

The danger of a widespread tornado outbreak is growing for Monday across the Upper Midwest and into the Southern Plains with threats of multiple, long-track strong tornadoes, extremely large hail and damaging wind gusts.

The daunting forecast comes as a potent spring storm collects all the ingredients needed for a volatile atmosphere, leading to an intense severe weather outlook that hasn’t been seen in some regions in more than a decade.

Already, nearly 5 million people sit under a Level 4 out of 5 risk on NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center severe weather scale, including the cities of St. Paul and Rochester in Minnesota, and Des Moines, Iowa. More than 11 million others sit inside a level 3 risk, including Minneapolis; Madison, Wisconsin; Omaha, Nebraska and Kansas City, Missouri.

---

 

Iconic 'Tree of Life' that defied gravity for years along Washington beach takes last stand

The "Tree of Life" in Olympic National Park has become a symbol of resilience over the years, but recent photos show that this bastion of beating the odds may be coming to its end.

Located on the blustery Pacific coastline of Washington state, the Tree of Life earned its name from its ability to survive in a seemingly unsurvivable environment—and does so with an unintentional penchant for drama. 

But perhaps most of the drama comes from below, as its roots are completely exposed. What are usually hidden in the soil to protect them and give nutrients, the roots are naked and desperately clinging to cliffsides that are slowly eroding beneath its tenuous grip.

Iconic 'Tree of Life' takes its final stand

The "Tree of Life" near Forks, Washington, might be taking its final stand. The tree has come to represent many aspects of the human spirit, such as resilience, for countless people. (Courtesy: Mathew Nichols Photography)

Globs of seaweed wash ashore in Miami Beach ahead of sargassum season

Drone video from over South Florida shows thick globs of seaweed blanketing beaches from North Miami to South Beach, as a strong easterly current has intensified both the threat of rip currents and the presence of sargassum.

The large globs of seaweed that have washed ashore in recent days have surprised some experts and caught tourists off guard. 

Typically, the seaweed season for the Sunshine State takes place during the summer and fall, but the early influx is raising questions about what may lie ahead during the coming months.

Drone video: Seaweed covers some South Florida beaches

Drone video taken on Wednesday showed clumps of seaweed covering parts of South Florida’s shoreline.

National Parks Week: Joshua Tree

In the Mojave Desert, Joshua Tree National Park provides an arid landscape for vegetation, including the famous Joshua Trees, some of which have stood for centuries. The Joshua Tree is part of the Agave plant family and can live for about 300 years on average. FOX Weather’s Robert Ray visited the park last year.

Joshua Tree National Park is home to nearly 800 species of plants

Joshua Tree National Park in California is home to one of America's most unique landscapes with nearly 800 species of plants. FOX Weather correspondent Robert Ray takes you on a tour of the park in the Mojave Desert.

Before you go

Here are a few more stories you might find interesting.

• See it: 'Addie' the sea turtle released along Florida beach after months of rehab, tumor removals
• Mars rover spotted cruising around the Red Planet
• Watch: Deputies wrangle alligator outside a Florida high school 

Need more weather? Check your local forecast plus 3D radar in the FOX Weather app. You can also watch FOX Weather wherever you go using the FOX Weather app, at foxweather.com/live or on your favorite streaming service.

It’s easy to share your weather photos and videos with us. Email them to weather@fox.com or add the hashtag #FOXWeather to your post on your favorite social media platform.