Mega storm alert in the US: 17 states under threat
A massive storm system set to impact the central and southern regions of the US has been reported to potentially cause life-threatening conditions. The US National Weather Service (NWS) has issued warnings that the storm, expected to last from Friday through Sunday evening, could trigger tornadoes, flash floods, blizzards, and wildfires. It is stated that more than 100 million people live in the areas that will be affected by the storm.
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The NWS stated that the mega storm will affect a vast area stretching from Alabama, Texas, and Louisiana in the south to Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma in the west. Information was shared that the system is likely to move through the center of the country toward Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. It was learned that the states of Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee are among the regions that will be exposed to the most severe effects of the storm.
According to AccuWeather, there is a risk of severe thunderstorms and golf-ball-sized hail in these states on Friday night. While the threat of deadly tornadoes is intensifying in Arkansas and Missouri, it was noted that Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi are also at risk.
According to a report by the Daily Mail, meteorology experts stated that more than 24 tornadoes could occur in the central parts of the country between Friday night and Saturday morning. Dan DePodwin, Senior Director of Forecasting Operations at AccuWeather, issued a call, saying, 'Please ensure your storm shelter or safe room is ready for use and stocked with emergency supplies.'
It was emphasized that there is a wildfire risk in Texas and New Mexico, which remain to the west of the storm, due to dry brush, low humidity, and dust storms. While wind speeds are expected to reach 80 mph (approximately 130 km/h), a warning was issued that the fire danger could spread to five states and Mexico.
TORNADO AND FLOOD WARNING
The NWS announced that the storm will move eastward on Saturday, causing severe thunderstorms in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and Florida. While wind speeds are expected to exceed 105 km/h on Saturday night, tornado warnings will continue. Major cities such as St. Louis, Chicago, Nashville, New Orleans, and Atlanta were also indicated as regions that could be affected by damaging winds.
DePodwin described the storm occurring this weekend as the 'largest severe weather event' of 2025 so far. According to long-term forecasts, between 1,350 and 1,400 tornadoes could occur across the US this year.
The NWS announced that the mega storm will move toward the East Coast on Sunday. According to officials, strong winds and thunderstorms could be seen in states stretching from Florida to Massachusetts. It was stated that there is a risk of flash floods in Georgia, the Carolinas, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. It was reminded that wind speeds exceeding 105 km/h by Sunday evening could cause travel delays.
'POLAR VORTEX COLLAPSE' RISK
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warned that preparations should be made for extreme winter conditions starting from mid-March. Experts reported that a meteorological event known as a 'polar vortex collapse' could return the US to freezing weather conditions.
It was noted that this situation could lead to more winter weather and extremely cold temperatures toward the end of the month and into spring. A polar vortex collapse is also called sudden stratospheric warming.
The collapse causes cold Arctic air to spread southward. It can lead to icy conditions in the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Europe.