Millions of Americans are bracing for a dangerous weather outbreak expected to hammer eight states with tornadoes, giant hail, and destructive winds on Friday.
Forecasters say parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin are directly in the path of the fast-moving storm system.
Meteorologists warn the threat could become the season’s first major severe weather event across the heart of Tornado Alley.
The system is expected to bring wind gusts up to 80 miles per hour, large hail, and tornadoes capable of causing serious destruction.
The storm threat follows deadly weather that already tore through parts of Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas on Thursday night.
In northern Oklahoma, officials said a mother and daughter were killed after violent winds and a tornado slammed the area.
Meteorologist Matthew Cappucci warned that Friday could bring the worst conditions yet as the outbreak expands across the central United States.
“Friday, March 6, 2026 could feature the season’s first widespread severe weather threat along I-35 in classic ‘Tornado Alley,’” Cappucci wrote.
Cappucci said the biggest concerns include damaging winds, tornadoes, and hailstones large enough to cause major damage to homes and vehicles.
“The main hazards are large hail up to hen egg size and damaging winds, but there’s a decent chance of some tornadoes too,” Cappucci said.
Forecasters say conditions are becoming more dangerous as powerful winds strengthen several thousand feet above the ground and interact with warm, unstable air.
That combination is expected to help storms rotate quickly and form dangerous supercells capable of producing strong tornadoes.
A large tornado was already spotted west of Fairview, Oklahoma, and local officials said it may have produced EF3 strength winds.
EF3 tornadoes pack winds between 136 and 165 miles per hour and are capable of ripping apart homes, tossing vehicles, and flattening structures.
AccuWeather said cities including Dallas, Oklahoma City, and Kansas City are all inside the moderate risk zone on Friday.
The first wave of storms is expected to develop in the mid to late afternoon as a low-pressure system moves across Kansas and the Missouri Valley.
That round could produce isolated supercells with giant hail and tornadoes from Kansas City to Wichita to Oklahoma City, per Trending Politics.
A second wave is expected Friday night as a cold front pushes east and southeast, spreading the danger into Illinois, Oklahoma, and northeastern Texas.
Forecasters also warn the storms will not end Friday night, with severe weather expected to continue into Saturday across a wider stretch of the country.
That next round could extend from southern Texas into western Tennessee and northwestern Alabama, bringing hail, flash flooding, and damaging winds.
Meteorologists say areas farther northeast, including parts of Pennsylvania and western New York, could also see dangerous thunderstorms and heavy downpours.
Officials are urging residents to prepare now by making sure they have multiple ways to receive warnings, especially during the overnight hours.
Experts say cell phone alerts alone may not be enough if storms strike while families are sleeping.
Emergency officials are also warning people living in mobile homes to identify a sturdier place to shelter before the worst storms arrive.
With millions now in the danger zone, forecasters say Friday could mark the first major tornado outbreak of the year and residents should take the threat seriously.
