U.S. government forecasters are issuing a rare and serious warning as they designate a “high-risk” zone for severe weather, indicating that a significant tornado outbreak is likely to occur on Wednesday. This warning affects approximately 2.5 million residents across several states, particularly in areas prone to extreme weather conditions.
The regions most vulnerable to this potential tornado outbreak include parts of west Tennessee, particularly around Memphis; northeast Arkansas; the southeast corner of Missouri; and sections of western Kentucky and southern Illinois. Forecasters at the Storm Prediction Center, located in Norman, Oklahoma, have indicated that “multiple long-track EF3+ tornadoes” are likely, with these tornadoes being among the most intense on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado strength.
The “high-risk” designation is a serious alert that is used infrequently, underlining the potential for devastating weather events. Just weeks ago, a similar alert was issued for a deadly tornado outbreak in mid-March. The Storm Prediction Center utilizes a color-coded system to communicate the severity of weather risks, with the highest risk areas marked in magenta. The agency defines “high risk” as a scenario where severe weather may include “numerous intense and long-tracked tornadoes” or thunderstorms capable of producing hurricane-force winds.
One notable event occurred on May 6, 2024, when the Storm Prediction Center assigned the high-risk category to parts of Kansas and Oklahoma. This warning preceded a series of tornadoes that caused significant destruction, including a powerful tornado that devastated the town of Barnsdall before moving on to Bartlesville. Aerial footage revealed homes reduced to rubble, and local authorities reported that around 25 individuals had to be rescued from collapsed buildings.
Another significant tornado outbreak took place on March 31, 2023, when the Storm Prediction Center identified two high-risk areas along the Mississippi River Valley. Shortly after the alert was issued, multiple tornadoes caused a theater roof to collapse during a concert in Illinois, leading to one fatality and over two dozen injuries. In total, the 2023 outbreak resulted in 146 confirmed tornadoes, making it the third-largest tornado outbreak in U.S. history, as reported by the National Weather Service. Tragically, more than two dozen people lost their lives in this event.
