A vast storm system impacts Texas, the Great Plains and East Coast
A massive swath of the United States, from Texas through the Great Plains and as far as New York and the Carolinas, is facing severe thunderstorm potential today, Friday, June 13. According to the National Weather Service (NWS) and the Storm Prediction Center (SPC), conditions are in place for damaging hail, heavy rain, and wind gusts reaching 60 to 70 mph (96 to 112 km/h) across hundreds of thousands of square miles.
Storm targets: from the Southern Plains to the Mid-Atlantic
The forecast map from the SPC shows a broad area of concern. The threat includes central and southeast Texas, eastern New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, and western Nebraska. Farther north, South Dakota and Minnesota are also in the zone of concern.
Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Missouri face localized severe weather, while storm risks also extend into Georgia, Tennessee, the Carolinas, and parts of the Mid-Atlantic, including New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
Several major cities, such as New York City, Houston, Memphis, and Denver, are within or near zones of elevated risk.
Main threats: wind, hail and flash flooding
AccuWeather meteorologist Alex DaSilva highlighted that while the overall risk is low, the geographic extent is unusually wide. Severe weather today may produce hail, flash flooding, and localized damaging winds.
The NWS bulletin warns that scattered strong to severe thunderstorms may develop this afternoon and evening, especially in the Great Plains, Texas coastal plains, and Upper Midwest. Rainfall totals in these regions may cause urban and small-stream flooding, especially where storms repeat over the same areas.
The NWS in Houston reports that storm activity is already ongoing this morning, with frequent lightning, torrential rain, and gusty winds topping 40 mph (64 km/h).
Localized threats intensify in Nebraska and the Mississippi Valley
In the northwest Sandhills of Nebraska, the NWS in North Platte has issued a Slight Risk warning (Level 2 of 5). Further east across north-central Nebraska, the Marginal Risk zone (Level 1) also remains active.
Meanwhile, the southern Plains and the lower Mississippi River Valley are bracing for excessive rainfall and potential flooding that could extend through Friday night, according to the latest updates from NWS national headquarters.
The ongoing pattern highlights the potential for isolated river flooding and dangerous urban flash flooding in parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and adjacent states.
Key takeaways for Friday, June 13
The SPC’s forecast points to a dynamic and far-reaching thunderstorm event, covering more than 250,000 square miles. With the potential for hailstones, damaging wind gusts, and flooding, today’s severe weather risk remains significant, even if individual storm intensity may vary by region.
Stay aware of localized warnings, especially in high-population corridors from Texas through the Mid-Atlantic.
