The central US is facing a dangerous severe weather outbreak expected to peak this Monday. Following a quiet start to May, conditions have now aligned for what could be the most intense round of severe thunderstorms yet, with threats lasting through Tuesday.
May 17 provided a glimpse of the danger ahead, with over a dozen tornadoes reported and more than 100 instances each of giant hail and damaging winds, concentrated mainly in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa.
The Storm Prediction Center has issued a Level 4 out of 5 alert—exceptionally rare—for parts of eastern Kansas and Nebraska. Monday's storms are expected to unleash several hazards: intense tornadoes (EF3 and stronger), very large hail, destructive winds, and torrential rain across central and eastern Kansas, southeastern Nebraska, and northwestern Missouri.
The strongest tornado threat is concentrated from central Kansas through southeastern Nebraska and into northwestern Missouri. By late evening, damaging winds will become the primary concern, though a few tornadoes may persist into the night.
The severe weather pattern is also fueling significant wildfire risk across the Southwest, from Arizona through southwest Kansas.
In 2025 alone, the US experienced 23 weather and climate disasters costing at least US$115 billion each in damages. That is a staggering figure and one that cannot be ignored. These disasters are fueled by the nation's vast and diverse geography, which has everything from hurricane-prone coastlines to tornado alleys and wildfire-vulnerable regions. Additionally, human-driven climate change is intensifying these events, making them more frequent and severe.
Curious about why the US is at risk? Click through now to find out more.