Dallas, Texas – Large hail up to 2 inches in diameter and wind gusts exceeding 60 mph could hammer parts of North Texas by Friday afternoon, threatening drivers along I-35E and I-20 before storms race northeast into Oklahoma and Missouri by evening.
According to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, a widespread severe weather threat will stretch from Texas through the Midwest on Friday. Oklahoma and Missouri sit in a corridor where very large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes are all possible. Farther north into Arkansas, Illinois and Wisconsin, storms may organize into fast-moving lines capable of producing 60 mph wind gusts and isolated tornadoes.
In Oklahoma City, storms may intensify near I-40 and track toward Tulsa along I-44 during the late afternoon and evening. Two-inch hail can shatter windshields and damage roofs within minutes. Residents should move vehicles indoors and avoid unnecessary travel during warnings.
By early evening, the severe threat shifts into Springfield and Joplin, Missouri, where large hail and strong winds could impact I-44 and US-65. Power outages are possible where wind gusts exceed 60 mph.
As storms push farther northeast Friday night, cities such as Milwaukee along I-94 could see damaging winds and brief tornado spin-ups embedded within storm lines.
Have multiple ways to receive warnings and be prepared to shelter in an interior room away from windows. Additional watches and warnings are likely as storms rapidly develop and track northeast through Friday night.
