Millions Brace for “Monster” Hail as Severe Storm Threat Expands

Millions of Americans across the Midwest and Southern Plains are bracing for another round of dangerous severe weather as forecasters warn that giant hail, powerful thunderstorms, and isolated tornadoes could erupt through the weekend and into next week.

Weather experts say a sprawling storm setup stretching more than 1,200 miles from Wisconsin to Texas could create ideal conditions for supercell thunderstorms capable of producing hail up to 3 inches in diameter. That is roughly the size of a baseball.

According to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, parts of central Iowa face one of the highest risks on Friday evening, including the Des Moines area. Forecasters say storms may rapidly intensify after sunset as unstable air breaks through a warm atmospheric layer that has limited storm development during the daytime hours.

The severe weather pattern is expected to continue through at least early next week.

These Storms Could Drop Hail the Size of Baseballs