Live Updates: Massive Storm Unleashes Fires, Flooding, Rare ‘High’ Tornado Threat

Meteorologists have issued stern warnings for a slew of dangerous weather that’s delivering a “kitchen-sink” of threats to the Plains, Midwest and South in the coming days.

The impacts are already unfolding, with extreme winds and dust triggering multiple wildfires and deadly pileups in parts of Texas, killing at least one person. As conditions worsen, high winds, severe storms and even tornadoes are expected to cause more damage across the region.

Here’s the very latest on everything you need to know:

(07:30 p.m. EDT) Fire Weather Like This May Become More Rampant

Texas and parts of the Plains may face an unprecedented wildfire threat as fire seasons grow longer and more extreme. Changing weather and more volatile weather events (like the wind and dust storm event in the region today) are driving a massive increase in fire weather days, with parts of west Texas now seeing nearly two extra months of prime wildfire conditions compared to 50 years ago.

Hot, dry, and windy conditions create the perfect storm for wildfires to ignite and spread at dangerous speeds, putting homes, power lines, and entire communities at risk. As flames rage across Texas, experts warn that these extreme fire conditions will only become more frequent and destructive in the years to come.

Click here to read more about which areas face the biggest wildfire threat.

(07:15 p.m. EDT) First Tornado Warning Issued

A tornado warning has just been issued near Springfield, Missouri, where radar indicated an imminent tornado threat. It’s time to take cover.

Even if a tornado doesn’t touch down in the area, powerful winds remain a serious threat to life and property in the region.

(06:59 p.m. EDT) Watch Wind And Dust Span Texas

The National Weather Service shared a dramatic satellite loop of the dust storm spanning Texas and Oklahoma. The video highlights the vast and intense nature of the storm, showcasing its sweeping impact on the region.

(06:45 p.m. EDT) Firefighters Vs. The Wind

From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

One thing that firefighters are going to have to battle this evening is a changing wind. The low pressure system is going to move northeastward, meaning that much of Oklahoma will see winds change from out of the southwest to out of the northwest or west-northwest. This has potential to break firelines and threaten different structures.

(06:32 p.m. EDT) Wind Events Are More Likely In Spring

Spring is the season of wild winds, especially across the West, Plains (as we’ve seen today), and Southeast. So what’s stirring up all that air? It’s all about clashing temperatures. Chilly Canadian air fights against warm, tropical air pushing north. When these high and low pressure systems get too close, air rushes between them, creating stronger winds. The bigger the pressure difference, the harder the wind blows – making spring a season of big, and sometimes dangerous gusts.

Read more about spring’s wind ingredients here.

(06:12 p.m. EDT) Weather Update For The Evening

From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

A bit of a double-barrelled threat is developing as we moved into the last few daytime hours. To the north, a squall line has developed with strong winds in the Midwest. This squall line should intensify as we darken the skies and a tornado threat should evolve. To the south, a shorter-lived tornado and wind threat could evolve in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee this evening before and after dark. The threat level will continue to increase overall in both areas over the next few hours.

(05:54 p.m. EDT) What Meteorologists Mean By ‘Severe Weather’

Severe weather isn’t just about thunderstorms—it comes in many dangerous forms, from tornadoes and hurricanes to blinding snow and deadly ice. Any weather that threatens lives and property falls into this category, including floods, lightning, and powerful winds, like we’ve seen today. To officially qualify as “severe,” a storm must produce quarter-sized hail, gusts of at least 58 mph, or pose a tornado threat (all of which are either confirmed or likely within today’s storm system).

No matter the season, when severe weather strikes, staying informed and prepared can be the difference between safety and disaster.

Read more about the different severe weather qualifiers here.

(05:37 p.m. EDT) What To Know About Squall Lines

We’re starting to see a squall line form in western Missouri, so it’s a good time to remind you why these types of thunderstorms can be dangerous.

Squall lines are fast-moving walls of thunderstorms that can unleash destructive winds, blinding rain, and even tornadoes. Stretching for hundreds of miles but only about 10 to 20 miles wide, these storms often appear as fierce, bow-shaped formations on radar. When they last long enough and hit hard enough, they earn the name “derecho”—a storm system capable of hurricane-force devastation. If you see a squall line approaching, brace for intense winds, torrential rain, and nonstop lightning.

Read about the five biggest dangers posed by squall lines here.

(05:29 p.m. EDT) Wind-Fueled Fire Prompts Evacuation In Oklahoma

A quickly-spreading wildfire, fueled by powerful winds, has forced the urgent evacuation of the entire town of Velma, in Stephens County Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is closing parts of OK-7 to keep people out of danger as flames tear through dry grass.

Fire crews are battling against the intense winds, but the situation is rapidly unfolding, and officials are urging residents to leave immediately.

(05:18 p.m. EDT) First Tornado Watch Of The Day Now In Effect

From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

The first watch area for the bullseye of today’s severe weather threat has been put into effect for much of Missouri and parts of Illinois and Arkansas. Communities in this tornado watch could see some of the worst impacts from storms into this evening, including strong tornadoes and wind gusts up to 90 mph. You should begin heading to your storm shelter or being near it if you’re in this watch area. Make sure you can receive weather warnings through your phone, tv or radio this evening.

(05:08 p.m. EDT) Students At OSU Shelter In Place

Students at Oklahoma State University have been told to shelter in place as a fast-moving wildfire threatens the area near Highway 51 in Stillwater. Thick smoke is filling the air and flames are moving quickly, creating a dangerous situation just outside campus. Emergency crews are working to contain the fire as officials urge everyone to stay indoors and avoid smoke-filled streets.

(04:58 p.m. EDT) Baseball-Sized Hail Expected

From weather.com senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman:

While the threat of damaging winds and tornadoes is significant in the Mississippi Valley through tonight, NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center also notes some severe thunderstorms could contain hail up to the size of baseballs. That hail whipped by wind gusts from 60 to 100 mph can smash windows of homes and vehicles. It’s just another reason why you should seek shelter with any severe thunderstorm warning today and tonight as you would a tornado warning.

(04:44 p.m. EDT) Smoke Seen From Fire Near Stillwater

A dramatic video posted to social media captured massive plumes of thick smoke billowing into the sky as wildfires rage along Highway 51 near Stillwater, Oklahoma. The fiery scene turned the road into a hazy landscape as the flames crept closer to oncoming traffic.

Our meteorologists point out the combination of wind, smoke and dust have made parts of Oklahoma look like the surface of Mars:

(04:35 p.m. EDT) Strongest Gusts So Far

From weather.com senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman:

Here are the strongest wind gusts we’ve seen reported so far today, since before sunrise:

• 95 mph: San Augustin Pass, New Mexico

• 87 mph: Northwest of Two Buttes, Colorado

• 85 mph: Near Arapahoe, Colorado

• 82 mph: Near Canyon, Texas

• 75 mph: Frederick, Oklahoma, and Roswell, New Mexico

• 74 mph: Stillwater, Oklahoma

As a rule of thumb, wind gusts of 75 mph or higher are capable of downing many trees and can peel roofs off some buildings.

(04:25 p.m. EDT) Threat Moves South

From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

In the newest update from NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center, they increased the threat level for severe weather along the southern end of tonight’s threat area. The biggest change was to extend the level 4 out of 5 area southward into central Mississippi and far northern Louisiana. Lower threat levels were also extended westward in Louisiana and Texas. The main reason for this change was increased confidence that supercells will develop there this evening. These supercells are expected to produce tornadoes and they could be strong tornadoes that last a long time.

(04:20 p.m. EDT) Sting Jet Prominent On Satellite

From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

A “sting jet” is intensifying over western Oklahoma amid already terrible fire weather conditions and a dust storm. Sting jets work to locally enhance wind gusts well above winds nearby. Wind gusts have already surpassed 60 mph this afternoon and these gusts could escalate into this evening. This sting jet could make any firefights in central and eastern Oklahoma and could create new fires.

(04:11 p.m. EDT) Emergency Services In Oklahoma Overwhelmed

Dangerous winds are whipping through Kay County, Oklahoma, creating zero-visibility dust storms and sparking several fires. Emergency crews are responding to multiple crashes, including a rollover accident where a child was trapped. A fire department vehicle rushing to help was hit by another car, sending two firefighters to the hospital. With fires still spreading and crashes piling up, local EMS is running out of resources and requesting help from other counties.

(03:59 p.m. EDT) This Is All The Same Storm

This powerful and sprawling storm system is responsible for extreme weather across multiple regions, leaving a trail of destruction from the West Coast to the Midwest. In Southern California, it unleashed heavy rain, flooding, mudslides, and even a rare tornado near Los Angeles, while dumping more than 30 inches of snow in the Sierra. As the system moves east, it’s fueling fierce winds across New Mexico and Oklahoma, triggering deadly dust storms, a wildfire outbreak from Texas up through Missouri, and hurricane-force gusts that toppled trees and trucks. As the day progresses, this same storm is shifting toward the Midwest, Ohio Valley, and South, where it is set to bring dangerous thunderstorms and a high tornado risk.

(03:46 p.m. EDT) Dangerous Fire Weather Captured On Satellite

From weather.com senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman:

This visible satellite image shows a pair of impressive features. First, the thick plumes of lofted dust from eastern New Mexico across western and northern Texas into Oklahoma and eastern Kansas. Some of those plumes are over 800 miles long.

The orange dots show areas where the satellite is detecting hot spots, likely new or existing wildfires. Satellite is a key tool for meteorologists to give local fire crews an early heads up on new fires.

(03:36 p.m. EDT) Power Cuts In Texas

Officials in Tulia, Texas are preparing to cut off the power to prevent wildfires from spreading, as the state battles fierce winds and extreme fire danger.

More than 100,000 people are already in the dark across the state, with outages spreading quickly.

(03:26 p.m. EDT) First Thunderstorm Watch Of The Afternoon Issued

From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

The first severe thunderstorm watch of the day has been issued for parts of Kansas and Missouri, including Kansas City, through 7 p.m. CT. Severe thunderstorm watches are issued when conditions are right for destructive wind gusts, a few tornadoes and some damaging hail.

(03:14 p.m. EDT) Latest Wind Damage Reports

From weather.com senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman

Here’s a few of the latest wind damage reports received in the last hour by the National Weather Service:

A roof of a supermarket was peeled off in Clovis, New Mexico.

A roof was blown off a portion of an apartment complex in Lubbock, Texas.

“Many” powerlines were reported down throughout the Wichita, Kansas, metro area.

(03:04 p.m. EDT) One Dead In Texas Dust Storm Pileup

Local media are reporting that at least one person has died in Bovina, Texas, citing the Bovina City Manager. The victim was involved in a multi-vehicle crash that involved three semi-trucks and at least four other vehicles.

Details about any other injuries from the wreck have not yet been released.

(03:00 p.m. EDT) Why ‘High Risk’ Is Such A Big Deal

From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

High risks for severe weather are rare on any day, but they’re even more rare when issued for the next day. This requires not just the atmosphere to cooperate 100%, but also confidence in the forecast has to be all in.

These are the days that you should be in or near your storm shelter for the duration of the event with multiple ways to receive warnings.

(02:47 p.m. EDT) Wind Shuts Down Amarillo Interstate

Extreme winds (one gust was clocked at around 85 mph) are flipping trucks and kicking up blinding dust across New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma, making driving incredibly dangerous. Amarillo even shut down parts of the interstate as the threat of pileups skyrocketed.

At least one multi-vehicle crash was reported in the Texas Panhandle. Other roads have been closed due to spreading wildfires in the area.

(02:30 p.m. EDT) Why Wind Can Be The Most Dangerous Part Of A Storm

Severe thunderstorm winds are no joke—they account for 70% of all severe weather reports and can be just as destructive as a tornado. These winds can snap tree limbs, knock out power, or even send entire trees crashing through homes and cars.

In some extreme cases, thunderstorms can spawn a derecho, a long-lived windstorm with gusts over 100 mph, strong enough to cause widespread destruction. If a severe thunderstorm warning mentions damaging winds or a derecho, take cover immediately—just as you would for a tornado.

(02:16 p.m. EDT) What Do The Severe Weather Threat Levels Mean?

Coming on the heels of the news that tomorrow’s outlook has been upgraded to a rare “high risk,” our meteorologists have this explainer that breaks down the different threat levels, both how you’d see them on our app and how they’re worded by the Storm Prediction Center.

(02:01 p.m. EDT) Alabama Governor Declares State Of Emergency

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey declared a state of emergency for all 67 counties in the state ahead of the severe weather expected to arrive there this weekend. Alabama is just one of the states in the Deep South facing the highest risk for severe storms on Saturday. Get our detailed forecast here.

(01:49 p.m. EDT) Saturday’s Forecast Upgraded To Rare ‘High Risk’ In South

From weather.com senior digital meteorologist Chris Dolce:

NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center has updated their forecast for Saturday in the Deep South by adding a rare “high risk” severe weather threat from central Mississippi into central Alabama. Long-tracked and potentially violent tornadoes are possible Saturday afternoon and evening.

“A tornado outbreak is likely on Saturday across the central Gulf Coast states and Deep South into the Tennessee Valley,” said the SPC in this afternoon’s update. “Numerous significant tornadoes, some of which should be long-track and potentially violent, are expected on Saturday afternoon and evening.”

This highest threat level is only issued two to three times per year. You can see the high risk area in darkest red below. But it should be noted a much larger area from eastern Louisiana to western Georgia and northward to Tennessee also has a serious tornado and widespread wind damage threat, as shown in the other red shadings.

(01:39 p.m. EDT) Some Updates To Severe Storm Forecast

From weather.com senior digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

The Storm Prediction Center has made a minor tweak to their forecast for this afternoon. They are now anticipating a slightly earlier start for the storms, likely in the neighborhood of 3-4 p.m. CDT, maybe a little earlier. This means that the level 2-4 outlooks in Missouri were nudged slightly westward.

Friday’s updated severe thunderstorm forecast map is below; click here for the complete forecast.

(01:25 p.m. EDT) Brutal Winds In Texas Panhandle

70-mph wind gusts were recorded in Vega, Texas, west of Amarillo, where dust storms made it nearly impossible to see. One driver shared some scary video as he made his way through the area. He said he experienced more than 150 miles of low visibility on his drive from New Mexico.

(01:15 p.m. EDT) What’s Happening Right Now

From weather.com senior digital meteorologist Chris Dolce:

The severe thunderstorm outbreak hasn’t begun yet, but strong low pressure is contributing to intense non-thunderstorm winds in West Texas, leading to blowing dust.

Gusts have topped 80 mph this morning in Lubbock and Amarillo, and the peak gust is 87 mph in Pine Springs.

You can see the dust in satellite imagery in this post on X from the National Weather Service.