Meteorologists have issued a warning to millions of Americans as a dangerous storm system is set to sweep across a large swath of the country on Friday.
Parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin could see hurricane-force wind gusts of up to 80 mph, tornadoes and hail as the powerful system intensifies.
The threat comes after severe storms already unleashed damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes from Texas to Kansas through Thursday night, according to AccuWeather.
In northern Oklahoma, a mother and daughter were killed after powerful winds and a dangerous tornado struck the area, authorities said.
Meteorologist Matthew Cappucci with MyRadar warned the worst conditions could still be ahead. ‘Friday, March 6, 2026 could feature the season’s first widespread severe weather threat along I-35 in classic “Tornado Alley,” he shared on Facebook.
‘The main hazards are large hail up to hen egg size and damaging winds, but there’s a decent chance of some tornadoes too. If you have Friday evening/night plans, have a way to stay abreast of changing weather conditions.’
The severe weather threat remains at a Level 3 out of 5 on Friday as the dryline pushes farther east across the central US. Meteorologists said the risk will increase as winds strengthen in the lower atmosphere.
Winds roughly 5,000 feet above the ground are expected to intensify both north toward Kansas City and south toward Oklahoma City and Dallas, creating conditions that could fuel stronger and more destructive storms.
The threat comes after severe storms already unleashed damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes from Texas to Kansas through Thursday night, according to AccuWeather. Pictured is a tornado seen in Oklahoma, where a mother and daughter were killed in the storm
The storm appeared on Thursday, but meteorologists warned that Friday could see the worst impacts
‘People living in mobile homes are especially at risk for injury and death,’ the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Severe Storms Laboratory said.
‘Even anchored mobile homes can be seriously damaged when winds gust over 80 mph.’
A large tornado was spotted west of Fairview, Oklahoma, narrowly missing the town of Cleo Springs.
The twister was briefly illuminated by lightning flashes and captured on camera by Fairview Emergency Management.
Officials said the tornado may have produced EF3-strength winds, meaning speeds between 136 and 165 mph capable of causing severe damage.
AccuWeather has warned that its moderate risk area on Friday covers the metro regions of Dallas, Oklahoma City and Kansas City, Missouri, with storms expected to push east toward Chicago by Friday night.
Two primary storm systems are expected to take shape on Friday.
The FOX Forecast Center reported that the first could develop in the mid-to-late afternoon as a low-pressure system moves across Kansas and the Missouri Valley, creating the potential for supercell thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes and hail larger than three inches.
Parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin could see hurricane-force wind gusts of up to 80 mph, tornadoes and hail as large as eggs as the powerful system intensifies (STOCK)
Strong tornadoes may also form Friday evening from Kansas City to Wichita to Oklahoma City.
Overnight, as a cold front pushes farther east and southeast, damaging wind gusts, hail and tornadoes could develop from Illinois south through Oklahoma and into northeastern Texas.
The storm is expected to linger into Saturday, with a cluster extending from southern Texas to western Tennessee and northwestern Alabama, with hail, damaging wind gusts and flash flooding as the main threats, AccuWeather stated.
‘Hundreds of miles farther northeast, damaging thunderstorms are likely from the eastern Ohio Valley to the Allegheny Mountains of western and northern Pennsylvania and into western New York,’ meteorologists said.
Similar to areas farther south, the main threats will include large hail, strong wind gusts and heavy downpours.
On Sunday, locally intense storms could develop across parts of Virginia, the Carolinas and central Texas.
Storms of similar strength are expected from central Texas through Oklahoma and Arkansas on Monday, with localized flash flooding the main concern on both days.
