Thunderstorm season begins in the US – increased risk of tornadoes, large hailstones possible

Tornado risk increases
Thunderstorm season begins in the US

Thunderstorm season is beginning in the US. On Thursday and Friday, the risk of severe weather will increase significantly in the south and Midwest.

See current thunderstorms in the USLightningRadar

This can lead to the formation of individual supercells with large hailstones and severe squalls. Tornadoes cannot be ruled out in organised thunderstorm lines.

Into Friday morning, isolated thunderstorm cells may form again in the Midwest.

The regions from North Texas to Oklahoma and Kansas are particularly at risk. But parts of Nebraska, Illinois and Indiana could also be hit hard.

Did you know?

The supercell is considered the "queen" of thunderstorm types and often causes severe damage.

This is caused by warm, humid air from the Gulf meeting colder air from the north. A low-pressure system is adding extra dynamism to the weather. Its distinctive cold front, which is moving from the north-west to the south-east, is causing a drop in temperature.