Meteorologists are warning people in Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota of a rare, “high risk” for severe storms on Monday with the potential of a tornado outbreak.

Newsweek reached out to AccuWeather by email for comment.

Why It Matters

The western High Plains have battled severe storms for days, with the main threats being large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes. The damaging storms are now moving eastward to impact the Upper Midwest, and meteorologists are advising millions in the affected areas to be storm prepared. Travel impacts are likely, and power outages could occur.

What to Know

As of Monday morning around 10:30 a.m. ET, there are no active National Weather Service (NWS) storm warnings in place for the three states, but AccuWeather meteorologists warn the storms will peak by Monday afternoon or Monday night.

NWS offices across the states have issued a hazardous-weather outlook warning about the potential for severe thunderstorms.

AccuWeather has labeled the severe weather risk as “high,” which means widespread severe storms are likely. However, the NWS Storm Prediction Center puts the risk as “moderate” for southern Minnesota, southwestern Wisconsin and northern Iowa.

“Multiple corridors of severe thunderstorms are expected across the Upper Midwest later today into tonight, with a regional severe weather outbreak possible,” the Storm Prediction Center said in its forecast summary.

“The most dangerous period is likely during the late afternoon and evening when strong tornado potential should be maximized. Scattered large to very large hail and damaging winds are likely as well.”

The setup is creating the prime environment for dangerous tornadoes, AccuWeather warned.

“Strong thunderstorms will be enhanced by a fast-moving jet stream,” AccuWeather meteorologist Alexander Duffus said in a report. “That will lend support for the potential of a few intense tornadoes across the region.”

Major cities within the path of the storms include Des Moines, Iowa; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and St. Paul, Minnesota. Meteorologists warned that travel will be affected by the severity of the storms.

What People Are Saying

AccuWeather meteorologist Elizabeth Danco said in a report: “Some of the tornadoes expected to spawn later Monday can be long-lived. This will pose a serious risk, particularly with those that develop after dark when they are more difficult to detect and prepare for.”

The NWS office in La Crosse, Wisconsin, in a hazardous weather outlook: “Confidence is highest for severe storms late this afternoon and tonight, especially over southeast Minnesota into west-central Wisconsin. Large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes are all possible. Highest threat window currently lies between 6 p.m. and
midnight.”

What Happens Next

The storms are expected to be on Monday night. There’s a slightly lesser risk of storms over a much larger area, stretching from Texas northeast through western Michigan. The storm risk will shift east and bring impacts through Thursday. People in the affected areas are advised to keep alert and follow any warnings from the NWS.