Many of the same areas in the central United States that were hit by violent thunderstorms on Friday will face a similar threat starting late Tuesday as another powerful system takes aim at the region with many modes of severe weather ranging from damaging winds to large hail and destructive tornadoes, AccuWeather meteorologists warn.
The threat level for Tuesday was increased to an extreme risk by AccuWeather meteorologists, which is saved for rare, extremely dangerous events. Last Friday's severe risk also received extreme status.
Like this past Friday, at least 16 states in the middle of the United States are at risk for severe weather and tornadoes from the latter part of Tuesday afternoon to Tuesday night. The risk includes all of Arkansas, Missouri and Illinois, much of Iowa, and portions of Indiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
That could mean more misery for people sifting through the wreckage of their homes in Arkansas, Iowa and Illinois.
The greatest risk to lives and property will stem from the likelihood of multiple tornadoes, some of which may be strong and long-lasting. Similar to the setup from last Friday, some of the tornadoes that form may rip along at 40 mph or faster, which will give only a few moments for people to seek shelter.
Farther south and west, fire danger will remain high.
The threat of fire danger is expected to remain high Tuesday across portions of far western Oklahoma, the Texas Panhandle, northeast New Mexico and far southeastern Colorado, with low humidity, dry vegetation and wind gusts expected up to 70 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
