Forecasters are issuing warnings of another day of heightened risk of dangerous tornadoes in the Midwest on Saturday. The National Weather Service in Oklahoma has likened the situation to “a gasoline-soaked brush pile,” cautioning that any storms that form could produce large hail, dangerous winds, and tornadoes. With millions of people traveling for Memorial Day weekend, there are concerns that severe weather could disrupt travel plans across the region.

Extreme Heat in South Texas

Meanwhile, south Texas is bracing for excessive heat, unusual for this time of year. The heat index is expected to approach nearly 120 degrees Fahrenheit during the weekend. This extreme heat comes after severe storms and power outages earlier in May, leaving residents vulnerable to the high temperatures. The region is experiencing the northern edge of a heat dome stretching from Mexico to South America, exacerbating the heat wave.

Fire Danger in the Southwest

Red Flag fire warnings are in effect in west Texas, all of New Mexico, and parts of Oklahoma, Arizona, and Colorado. Very low humidity below 10%, combined with wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour and hot temperatures, create conditions conducive to rapidly spreading fires. Meteorologists are warning of the potential for uncontrollable fires over a wide area due to the dry air and strong winds.

Unusual Weather Patterns

The weather pattern is being driven by a storm system that has brought several inches of snow to Rolla, North Dakota, just 10 miles from the Canadian border. This is part of a broader weather system that is expected to move eastward as Memorial Day weekend progresses, bringing rain that may affect the Indianapolis 500 auto race in Indiana on Sunday and severe storms across Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Kentucky.

Heightened Tornado Activity

April and May have seen a significant increase in tornado activity, particularly in the Midwest. Climate change is believed to be intensifying the severity of storms globally. April marked the country’s second-highest number of tornadoes on record, and by 2024, the U.S. is already 25% ahead of the average number of twisters for the year, according to the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma. This past week, Iowa has been hardest hit, with a deadly tornado devastating Greenfield, a city located approximately 55 miles south of Des Moines. The tornado claimed at least five lives and left dozens injured. Other parts of the state also experienced flooding and wind damage from severe storms.

Outlook for Memorial Day

As the Memorial Day weekend continues, the storm system causing severe weather is expected to move eastward. This progression will bring rain that could potentially delay the Indianapolis 500 auto race in Indiana on Sunday and bring more severe storms to Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Kentucky. Forecasters are predicting the risk of severe weather to shift into North Carolina and Virginia on Monday. This Memorial Day weekend, residents and travelers across the Midwest and south Texas are urged to stay informed about changing weather conditions and to take precautions to ensure their safety in the face of these extreme weather events.