Severe weather warnings issue: Midwest faces threats of heavy flooding, intense winds, and hail this weekend
Midwest Braces for Scattered Thunderstorms and Flash Flood Risk This Weekend
A cold front is set to sweep through the Midwest early next week, bringing a drop in temperatures and a higher chance for thunderstorms on Sunday. According to meteorological forecasts, these thunderstorms may result in gusty winds, heavy rain, and a low but not zero potential for localized flash flooding and hail. However, a significant tornado threat or high-risk severe weather outlook is not currently anticipated for this weekend.
The thunderstorms are expected to develop mainly on Sunday, with scattered to isolated coverage. While some locally heavy rain may occur, the threat for significant flash flooding appears limited due to relatively dry antecedent conditions. Moderate gusty winds are likely with these storms, but hail is not a dominant threat for this event.
Approximately 14 million people in South Dakota, southern Wisconsin, northern Illinois, northwestern Indiana, far eastern Iowa, and southeastern Minnesota are under a slight risk for severe storms through Saturday evening. Nearly 12 million people across portions of southeastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois are under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 7 p.m. local time on Saturday.
A persistent flash flood threat will come with these storms on Saturday and Sunday, with a Flood Watch in effect for parts of southern Wisconsin, including the Milwaukee area, through Sunday morning. The excessive humidity in the South makes it dangerous for the body, as it needs to exert itself more to cool down. Dangerously warm heat indices, ranging from 105 degrees in the Central Plains to 112 in Florida, are expected this weekend.
More than 56 million Americans across 15 states in the Midwest and South are under heat alerts this weekend. Rapid City, South Dakota, should see these storms at approximately 6 p.m. local time on Saturday. Other areas nearby, including Aberdeen, South Dakota, and Bismarck, North Dakota, will witness the storms before 11:59 p.m. on Saturday. These storms will begin during the late afternoon east of the Rockies on Saturday and will be capable of producing damaging winds, large hail, and a couple of tornadoes.
Storms swept across parts of the Upper Midwest on Friday night into early Saturday morning, bringing wind gusts up to 80 mph. It's worth noting that a hiker has died after reportedly picking up a venomous snake, according to officials. This unfortunate incident is not directly related to the weather situation in the Midwest.
In contrast, the Northeast will see seasonably warm temperatures throughout the weekend, but less humid conditions, keeping heat indices below 100 degrees across the region.
[1] National Weather Service (NWS) Forecast Discussion for the Midwest [2] NWS Weather Prediction Center (WPC) Discussion [3] NWS Storm Prediction Center (SPC) Outlook [4] National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) report on the August 2025 Milwaukee flood [5] NWS SPC Derecho Outlook and Analysis
- The forthcoming thunderstorms in the Midwest, set to take place mainly on Sunday, are associated with the international field of meteorology, as they are being closely monitored and predicted by various worldwide meteorological organizations and institutions, including the National Weather Service (NWS) and the Weather Prediction Center (WPC).
- As the environmental-science community continues to track these storms, there is an ongoing concern regarding their potential impact on the local environment, particularly with respect to the weather and the probable threat of flash flooding, which could have significant repercussions for the ecosystem and nearby communities.
