Powerful storms sweeping across the central United States are expected to bring tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail to parts of Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Missouri on Thursday. The Storm Prediction Center has identified these states as being in the bull's-eye of severe weather, with the highest tornado threat concentrated over eastern Iowa and northern Illinois.

Meteorologist Matt Mosier warned that damaging winds exceeding 75 miles per hour could impact the region by Thursday evening, particularly from eastern Iowa into Michigan. Large hail, potentially larger than two inches in diameter, is also forecast, especially on Friday when the southern Plains could see hail the size of limes. The storms are expected to produce heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri.

While isolated thunderstorms may develop farther south across Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, and Kentucky on Thursday afternoon, the severe weather risk is expected to diminish through the weekend. The Weather Prediction Center forecasts one to three inches of rain across the affected areas, with isolated totals reaching four to seven inches. Residents are advised to prepare disaster kits and follow safety protocols for tornadoes and flash floods as the storms move through the region.