Severe Weather Outlook

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Severe Weather Watches Overview

Watch data currently updates every 15 minutes.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch #0128 for East-Central and Far Southeast Minnesota, Northwest and North-Central Wisconsin

Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2 inches in diameter possible
Isolated damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible

Tornado Watch #0129 for Central and Eastern Iowa, Northern and West-Central Illinois, Southeast Minnesota, Far Northeast Missouri, Central and Southern Wisconsin

A few tornadoes likely with a couple intense tornadoes possible
Widespread large hail and isolated very large hail events to 3.5 inches in diameter likely
Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely

Tornado Watch #0130 for South-Central and Eastern Kansas, Northern and West-Central Missouri, Northern and Western Oklahoma

A few tornadoes likely with a couple intense tornadoes possible
Widespread damaging winds and isolated significant gusts to 85 mph likely
Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 4 inches in diameter likely

Tornado Watch #0131 for Central and Northeast Illinois, Northeast Missouri, Lake Michigan

A couple tornadoes possible
Widespread damaging winds likely with isolated significant gusts to 75 mph possible
Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2.5 inches in diameter possible

↑ back to the list of watches ↑

Severe Thunderstorm Watch #0128

Locations Affected

East-Central and Far Southeast Minnesota

Northwest and North-Central Wisconsin

Severe Thunderstorm Watch Summary

Ongoing line of thunderstorms over southeast MN is forecast to continue northeastward. The overall environment ahead of this line is expected to become more supportive of strong to severe storms with time. Additional thunderstorm development is anticipated as well. Large hail is the primary severe risk, although isolated strong gusts are possible as well.

Severe Weather Threats

Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2 inches in diameter possible

Isolated damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible

Severe Thunderstorm Watch Details

SEL8

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 128
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
920 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of 
  East-Central and Far Southeast Minnesota
  Northwest and North-Central Wisconsin

* Effective this Friday morning and afternoon from 920 AM until
  500 PM CDT.

* Primary threats include...
  Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2
    inches in diameter possible
  Isolated damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible

SUMMARY...Ongoing line of thunderstorms over southeast MN is
forecast to continue northeastward. The overall environment ahead of
this line is expected to become more supportive of strong to severe
storms with time. Additional thunderstorm development is anticipated
as well. Large hail is the primary severe risk, although isolated
strong gusts are possible as well.

The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 75
statute miles east and west of a line from 105 miles north of Eau
Claire WI to 10 miles east of La Crosse WI. For a complete depiction
of the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS
WOU8).

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

REMEMBER...A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
tornadoes.

&&

AVIATION...A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
2 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A
few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector
24030.

...Mosier

↑ back to the list of watches ↑

Tornado Watch #0129

Locations Affected

Central and Eastern Iowa

Northern and West-Central Illinois

Southeast Minnesota

Far Northeast Missouri

Central and Southern Wisconsin

Tornado Watch Summary

A very moist and unstable airmass exists ahead of a cold front progressing eastward/southeastward across the region. Thunderstorm development is anticipated within the warm sector ahead of the front, where discrete supercells capable of all severe hazards, including very large hail and strong to intense tornadoes, are possible. Thunderstorm development is possible along the front as well, with large hail and strong gusts the primary risk with these storms.

Severe Weather Threats

A few tornadoes likely with a couple intense tornadoes possible

Widespread large hail and isolated very large hail events to 3.5 inches in diameter likely

Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely

Tornado Watch Details

SEL9

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Tornado Watch Number 129
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
1240 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

* Tornado Watch for portions of 
  Central and Eastern Iowa
  Northern and West-Central Illinois
  Southeast Minnesota
  Far Northeast Missouri
  Central and Southern Wisconsin

* Effective this Friday afternoon and evening from 1240 PM until
  800 PM CDT.

* Primary threats include...
  A few tornadoes likely with a couple intense tornadoes possible
  Widespread large hail and isolated very large hail events to 3.5
    inches in diameter likely
  Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely

SUMMARY...A very moist and unstable airmass exists ahead of a cold
front progressing eastward/southeastward across the region.
Thunderstorm development is anticipated within the warm sector ahead
of the front, where discrete supercells capable of all severe
hazards, including very large hail and strong to intense tornadoes,
are possible. Thunderstorm development is possible along the front
as well, with large hail and strong gusts the primary risk with
these storms.

The tornado watch area is approximately along and 110 statute miles
north and south of a line from 55 miles north northwest of Des
Moines IA to 55 miles east of Madison WI. For a complete depiction
of the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS
WOU9).

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

REMEMBER...A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
and possible warnings.

&&

OTHER WATCH INFORMATION...CONTINUE...WW 128...

AVIATION...Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
surface and aloft to 3.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean
storm motion vector 26035.

...Mosier

↑ back to the list of watches ↑

Tornado Watch #0130

Locations Affected

South-Central and Eastern Kansas

Northern and West-Central Missouri

Northern and Western Oklahoma

Tornado Watch Summary

Thunderstorm development is underway along a southeastward progressing cold front that extends from northwest Missouri into northwest Oklahoma. The environment ahead of this front is very unstable and strongly sheared, and capable of supporting robust supercells. All hazards are possible with these supercells, including very large to giant hail (3 to 4" in diameter), strong wind gusts, and tornadoes. A transition from hail as the primary risk to strong gusts is anticipated as storm undergo upscale growth into a robust convective line. Gusts from 70 to 80 mph will be possible within this line, which is expected to move from south-central Kansas into central Missouri.

Severe Weather Threats

A few tornadoes likely with a couple intense tornadoes possible

Widespread damaging winds and isolated significant gusts to 85 mph likely

Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 4 inches in diameter likely

Tornado Watch Details

SEL0

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Tornado Watch Number 130
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
135 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

* Tornado Watch for portions of 
  South-Central and Eastern Kansas
  Northern and West-Central Missouri
  Northern and Western Oklahoma

* Effective this Friday afternoon and evening from 135 PM until
  900 PM CDT.

* Primary threats include...
  A few tornadoes likely with a couple intense tornadoes possible
  Widespread damaging winds and isolated significant gusts to 85
    mph likely
  Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 4
    inches in diameter likely

SUMMARY...Thunderstorm development is underway along a southeastward
progressing cold front that extends from northwest Missouri into
northwest Oklahoma. The environment ahead of this front is very
unstable and strongly sheared, and capable of supporting robust
supercells. All hazards are possible with these supercells,
including very large to giant hail (3 to 4" in diameter), strong
wind gusts, and tornadoes. A transition from hail as the primary
risk to strong gusts is anticipated as storm undergo upscale growth
into a robust convective line. Gusts from 70 to 80 mph will be
possible within this line, which is expected to move from
south-central Kansas into central Missouri.

The tornado watch area is approximately along and 80 statute miles
east and west of a line from 45 miles north northwest of Chillicothe
MO to 25 miles south of Enid OK. For a complete depiction of the
watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU0).

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

REMEMBER...A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
and possible warnings.

&&

OTHER WATCH INFORMATION...CONTINUE...WW 128...WW 129...

AVIATION...Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
surface and aloft to 4 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
gusts to 75 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean
storm motion vector 27030.

...Mosier

↑ back to the list of watches ↑

Tornado Watch #0131

Locations Affected

Central and Northeast Illinois

Northeast Missouri

Lake Michigan

Tornado Watch Summary

Thunderstorms have intensified across northeast MO, with some additional intensification possible as they continued northeastward into central IL. The airmass across the region supports supercells capable of all severe hazards, including very large hail and tornadoes. Another round of storms will follow in the wake of the ongoing storms later this evening as a cold front moves across the region. Wind gusts will be the primary risk with the storms along the front, but line-embedded circulations are possible as well.

Severe Weather Threats

A couple tornadoes possible

Widespread damaging winds likely with isolated significant gusts to 75 mph possible

Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2.5 inches in diameter possible

Tornado Watch Details

SEL1

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Tornado Watch Number 131
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
330 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

* Tornado Watch for portions of 
  Central and Northeast Illinois
  Northeast Missouri
  Lake Michigan

* Effective this Friday afternoon and evening from 330 PM until
  1100 PM CDT.

* Primary threats include...
  A couple tornadoes possible
  Widespread damaging winds likely with isolated significant gusts
    to 75 mph possible
  Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2.5
    inches in diameter possible

SUMMARY...Thunderstorms have intensified across northeast MO, with
some additional intensification possible as they continued
northeastward into central IL. The airmass across the region
supports supercells capable of all severe hazards, including very
large hail and tornadoes. Another round of storms will follow in the
wake of the ongoing storms later this evening as a cold front moves
across the region. Wind gusts will be the primary risk with the
storms along the front, but line-embedded circulations are possible
as well.

The tornado watch area is approximately along and 75 statute miles
east and west of a line from 50 miles west northwest of Valparaiso
IN to 30 miles southeast of Jefferson City MO. For a complete
depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update
(WOUS64 KWNS WOU1).

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

REMEMBER...A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
and possible warnings.

&&

OTHER WATCH INFORMATION...CONTINUE...WW 128...WW 129...WW 130...

AVIATION...Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
surface and aloft to 2.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
gusts to 65 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean
storm motion vector 27030.

...Mosier

National Risk Overview

Friday, April 17: TORNADO: 10%; HAIL: 45%; WIND: 45%
Saturday, April 18: TORNADO: 2%; HAIL: 5%; WIND: 15%
Sunday, April 19: ANY SEVERE: low
Monday, April 20: ANY SEVERE: potential too low
Tuesday, April 21: ANY SEVERE: potential too low
Wednesday, April 22: ANY SEVERE: predictability too low
Thursday, April 23: ANY SEVERE: predictability too low
Friday, April 24: ANY SEVERE: predictability too low

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