ATLANTA — An intense storm system is threatening parts of the United States with severe weather, including the possibility of destructive tornadoes and large hailstones. The National Weather Service has issued a “high risk” alert, a classification that is not frequently used, indicating the potential severity of the storm.
On Friday, Missouri, Iowa, and Illinois experienced the brunt of the weather, while forecasts indicate that on Saturday, the system is set to target the southern states such as Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. According to the federal Storm Prediction Center, “numerous significant tornadoes, some which may be long-track and potentially violent, are anticipated for Saturday afternoon and evening.”
High-risk areas are marked in magenta on the Storm Prediction Center’s forecast maps. There are five categories of risk, ranging from marginal, with green representing the lowest level of concern, to high, indicated with magenta for the most serious threats.
For Saturday, the regions most in danger include parts of Mississippi and Alabama. The “high risk” status suggests the weather might involve “numerous intense and long-tracked tornadoes” or thunderstorms capable of producing wind gusts similar to hurricane forces, which could lead to significant damage.
Historically, the “high risk” designation often corresponds with the occurrence of the predicted severe events. For example, on May 6, 2024, a similar warning was issued for areas of Kansas and Oklahoma. That prediction came true when multiple tornadoes carved destructive paths, particularly affecting the small town of Barnsdall, Oklahoma, before moving on to Bartlesville, causing extensive damage. Many homes were left in ruins, and around 25 individuals had to be rescued from collapsed structures.
Another significant weather event took place on March 31, 2023, when the Storm Prediction Center highlighted high-risk areas along the Mississippi River Valley. That day saw numerous tornadoes, one of which resulted in a tragic roof collapse at a heavy metal concert in Illinois, leading to one fatality and over two dozen injuries. In Arkansas, homes and shopping centers were severely damaged.
The 2023 outbreak was among the largest in U.S. history, with the National Weather Service confirming 146 tornadoes. This horrific event resulted in the loss of more than two dozen lives and left many others injured.
