Millions across Texas, Plains face damaging hail, possible tornadoes as multi-day severe storm threat expands
Sunday’s severe threat hinges on a strong "cap" over the Southern Plains. If it holds, storms will be limited; if it breaks, intense development is likely west of I-35.
Severe storm threat expands across Plains, millions at risk for hail, damaging winds and possible tornadoes
Severe storms are expanding across the Plains, with nearly 40 million people at risk for hail, damaging winds, and a few possible tornadoes. A level 2 out of 5 severe storm risk is in place across parts of the region. FOX Weather Meteorologists Michael Estime and Melanie Black break down what’s happening:
Severe storms are expanding across the Plains Sunday, with over 40 million people at risk for hail, damaging winds and a few possible tornadoes.
While the tornado threat currently looks to be low, these storms are still expected to be quite intense, with frequent lightning and loud thunder.
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A Level 2 out of 5 severe storm risk is in place across parts of the region.
Sunday severe outlook
Severe storms will be ongoing early on Sunday morning across portions of the Southern Plains as a stronger upper-level trough is expected to move into the southern Rockies.
Ahead of the system, ample moisture and instability will be present to support severe weather. However, the FOX Forecast Center is highlighting it as a "boom or bust" scenario.
This is due to a strong capping inversion that will be in place across much of the Southern Plains.
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Sunday hail outlook
(FOX Weather / FOX Weather)
If the cap remains in place, no storms will be able to develop. However, if it breaks, then severe storms will develop along the dryline west of I-35.
These storms will be capable of producing very large hail and damaging wind gusts. The tornado threat looks to be low at this point.
The Level 2 out of 5 severe storm threat is in place for cities like San Antonio, San Angelo, Dallas, Oklahoma City and Wichita, with a larger Level 1 threat in place for surrounding areas from south Texas to Wisconsin.
On Saturday, heavy rain associated with the multi-day severe weather threat brought flooding to parts of Kansas.
The Nemaha County, Kansas Emergency Management took to Facebook stating, "If you are out and about this morning, please do not travel on K-187 north of Centralia as the highway is closed due to flooding across the roadway."
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Image 1 of 4CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 12: Lightning strikes the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) in downtown on June 12, 2013, in Chicago, Illinois. A massive storm system with heavy rain, high winds, hail and possible tornadoes is expected to move into Illinois and much of the central part of the Midwest today. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) ( )
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Image 3 of 4Debris left behind by torrential flooding across North Shore of Oahu. (Robert Ray/FOX Weather)
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Image 4 of 4BETHESDA, MARYLAND - MAY 16: In an aerial view, severe thunderstorms move through the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area causing widespread damage on May 16, 2025, in Bethesda, Maryland. (Kevin Carter)
They also reminded the public not to drive on flooded roadways for safety.
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Along with that, emergency crews successfully evacuated all campers from the Corndodger Station campground near Frankfort.
The facility, located near Highway 9 and 15th Road, experienced rapid flash flooding from Corndodger Creekearly on Saturday morning.
Severe storm outlook through Wednesday.
(FOX Weather / FOX Weather)
This weekend's severe weather is just the start of multiple rounds, with storms expected to become even more widespread early next week as another disturbance moves through.
Severe storms are expected to continue each day from now through Wednesday.