Memorial Day weekend forecast: ‘Violent’ tornadoes and ‘hurricane’ winds threaten to batter central US

“Violent” tornadoes with wind gusts exceeding 90 miles per hour are likely in Oklahoma and Kansas today, according to the National Weather Service. Softball-sized hail is also possible in the region.

Dangerous storms will hit much of the central US today, bringing the possibility of “very large hail, hurricane-force gusts, and strong tornadoes” throughout the region, the NWS forecasted on Friday.

Get ready for one of the busiest Atlantic hurricane seasons on record, thanks to unprecedented ocean heat and a brewing La Nina, experts say.

With hurricane-like winds already brewing in the Midwest this holiday weekend, here’s what you need to know about the upcoming hurricane season:

Memorial Day, which also marks the unofficial start to summer, is observed annually on the last Monday of May, with most Americans receiving the day off from work.

The nation commemorates the holiday with a service at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, with the president typically laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Read more about the holiday from The Independent’s Chelsea Ritschel:

The Midwest is bracing for storms that could bring “very large hail, hurricane-force gusts, and strong tornadoes” to the region, according to the National Weather Service.

These conditions come amid what is expected to be the busiest Memorial Day Weekend for travelers since 2005.

The NWS has also warned those celebrating outdoors or on the water to be aware of lightning and to check marine conditions before getting on a boat.

Corpus Christi and much of southern Texas will face excessive heat this weekend.

The heat index — that is, what the temperature feels like to people — could reach up to 118F.

“Take extra precautions when outside,” the National Weather Service advises. “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.”

Areas of several states, including Texas, New Mexico and Arizona are under red flag warnings for extreme fire danger this weekend.

These conditions are exacerbated by high winds, low humidity and ongoing drought conditions in the southwestern US, according to the National Weather Service.

On Thursday, the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued a warning to celebrate Memorial Day responsibly — and a reminder that fireworks are banned on BLM-managed public lands.

Meanwhile, Corpus Christi and much of southern Texas will face excessive heat this weekend.

The heat index — that is, what the temperature feels like to people — could reach up to 118F.

“Take extra precautions when outside,” the National Weather Service advises. “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.”

Areas of several states, including Texas, New Mexico and Arizona are under red flag warnings for extreme fire danger this weekend.

These conditions are exacerbated by high winds, low humidity and ongoing drought conditions in the southwestern US, according to the National Weather Service.

On Thursday, the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued a warning to celebrate Memorial Day responsibly — and a reminder that fireworks are banned on BLM-managed public lands.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) predicts this weekend will bring the heaviest Memorial Day travel in nearly 20 years.

Some 43.8m people will likely travel at least 50 miles over the weekend, with most of them taking road trips, the AAA said, a 4 per cent increase from 2023. Most of those travellers will take a car to their destination, the AAA predicts.

Meanwhile, the Transportation Security Administration expects at least 3m people to pass through security checkpoints this weekend as airports brace for heavy traffic.

Storms could continue to impact air travel throughout the weekend.

43 per cent of flights at the Chicago O’Hare International Airport are delayed as of Friday afternoon, according to FlightAware. More than 500 flights have been delayed and 18 canceled since thunderstorms blew into the region this morning.

New York City’s LaGuardia Airport and John F Kennedy International Airport had almost 700 delays and 90 cancellations on Thursday after a severe storm hit the area.

43 per cent of flights at the Chicago O’Hare International Airport were delayed as of Friday afternoon, according to FlightAware. The average delay is roughly one hour, FlightAware reports.

More than 500 flights had been delayed and 18 canceled since thunderstorms blew into the region on Friday morning.

Memorial Day travelers going to the midwest or central US may also see their celebrations dampened as the National Weather Service forecasts dangerous thunderstorms with large hail and potential tornadoes.