Dangerous Derecho Storms Threaten Midwest With Hail and Tornadoes

Severe thunderstorms, a possible derecho, large hail and potential tornadoes are expected in the Midwest.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has predicted "an organized swathe of severe thunderstorm wind (potential derecho)" in parts of Kansas on Sunday afternoon and evening.

This wind may extend into Oklahoma, with hail, wind gusts of 75-100 mph and possibly "a few" tornadoes.

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Derechos are widespread, long-lived, straight-line wind storms that can cause hurricane-force winds, heavy rains, and flash floods.

Forecasters said the Central Plains will see thunderstorms over the eastern Raton Mesa region by late Sunday afternoon before they move east-northeastward to eastward "into increasing moisture and instability."

In Kansas, the NWS has classed Salina, Hutchinson, Garden City, Dodge City and Newton, in Kansas, as at "moderate" risk.

Wichita, Manhattan, Emporia, Liberal and Hays have been classed as at an "enhanced" risk, with Kansas City categorized as "slight".

Parts of Florida are also tagged as "slight," including Miami and Fort Lauderdale, along with Hialeah, Nebraska.

Under "marginal" risk are Jacksonville, Florida, Oklahoma City, and Tampa in Florida on top of Omaha in Nebraska and Tulsa, Oklahoma.

"Damaging winds are the primary concern," the NWS Storm Prediction Center said.

It told people to keep up to date with weather forecasts and local authorities' advice because "the location, magnitude, and timing of the severe weather risk may evolve over the next few days.

It comes after Florida was one of the Gulf States impacted by high heat this month, with temperatures typical of midsummer hitting parts of the state this week, along with severe thunderstorms.

Temperatures were expected to either feel like or actually reach 110 degrees in Key West on Friday, prompting NWS meteorologists to issue a heat advisory.

"Drink plenty of fluids and take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke," the advisory said at the time.

Meanwhile, Texas is still reeling from deadly storms that happened on Thursday which killed at least four people and kept hundreds of thousands without power.

There are still more than 350,000 people without electricity in the state, according to the most recent update from poweroutage.us on Sunday.

Just before the weekend started, Houston residents were warned not to drive in the downtown area because glass had covered the streets after windows were blown out of multiple buildings.