Multiday Severe Weather Outbreak Puts 200 Million at Risk
If you have any outdoor plans over the next 48 hours, you may want to keep a close eye on the sky or your weather app.
A massive, fast-moving weather system is putting an estimated 200 million Americans in the path of potential severe storms, starting midday today through Thursday, June 11.
Residents across the Plains, Upper Midwest and Midwest are being warned about the multi-day outbreak, which could bring a little bit of everything, including severe thunderstorms, rainfall, strong winds and potential tornadoes.
The timing could also disrupt your evening commute and your sleep, so it's essential to turn phone notifications on before going to bed to stay alerted.
"All modes of severe weather are possible through Thursday, both day and night, from the Rockies to the Appalachians, including damaging wind gusts, tornadoes, large hail and flash flooding," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson explained.
The severe weather shifted eastward on Wednesday, with a heightened risk impacting the heart of the Midwest, including Wisconsin, parts of Minnesota, northern Illinois, eastern Iowa, and Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
For major cities in the "high-risk zone," like Chicago and Milwaukee, it could come with impacted travel, like delays and disruptions.
"All of the ingredients required for severe thunderstorms will be in place across the Plains and Midwest for a severe weather outbreak through Thursday," AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham added in his report. "Wind gusts capable of approaching 100 miles per hour, hail the size of softballs and dozens of tornado reports across the Plains and Midwest are expected."
The National Weather Service also issued a general warning, "Severe thunderstorms and showers have the potential for large hail, a few strong tornadoes, damaging winds with gusts over 75 mph, and localized flash flooding across parts of the Mid/Upper Mississippi Valley and Midwest. A widespread heat wave will continue across the Central U.S. and Midwest today. Fire weather concerns persist in the Southwest into the central Rockies and northern California."
12:58pm CDT #SPC Day1 Outlook Enhanced Risk: across parts of the upper/mid Mississippi Valleys and Midwest https://t.co/TgJgC6cj9Ypic.twitter.com/jkjpCLmL8c
— NWS Storm Prediction Center (@NWSSPC) June 10, 2026
The weather threat moves eastward and southward on Thursday into Thursday night, covering central Ontario to central Oklahoma, per Accuweather, while also impacting parts of the East through Friday, as heat and humidity intensify.
A little preparation can go a long way before storms arrive. Start by charging your devices now and checking your weather app settings to make sure emergency alerts are toggled on.
If you have furniture or planters outside, bring them inside or secure them, as high winds can turn items into dangerous projectiles. If travel is on your agenda, consider rescheduling or allowing extra time. And most importantly, if you find yourself in a life-threatening situation, seek out shelter or higher ground immediately.
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This story was originally published June 10, 2026 at 3:34 PM.