Relentless storm system threatens the Midwest with destructive hail and tornadoes

A relentless storm system will continue to make its way across the United States this week, with damaging hail and potential tornadoes threatening communities in parts of the Midwest. More than 15 million people in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and Missouri are under a more severe weather threat, with storms expected to peak in intensity during the afternoon and continue into Tuesday night. The area of ​​greatest concern is in southeastern Iowa, northwestern Illinois, and northeastern Missouri.

While strong wind gusts and hail are the main threats in the Midwest, tornadoes with EF2 strength or greater could also affect some areas. Cities like Milwaukee, Kansas City, Omaha, Madison and Des Moines are also at risk of severe weather, with a lower chance of severe storms spreading from Texas to Michigan, including Dallas, Oklahoma City, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Chicago and Detroit. .

This powerful storm system is coming to the Midwest after wreaking havoc across the central US on Sunday and Monday, with reports of more than a dozen tornadoes and several damaged homes across the region. Strong storms have been battering the United States for the past week, including a devastating storm that hit Houston on Thursday, leaving hundreds of thousands of residents without power for days amid a sweltering heat wave.

Flash flooding also poses a threat to parts of Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Nebraska that experience heavy rainfall. Rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches are possible, with some spots seeing as much as 5 inches. By nightfall, a line of strong gusty winds could move across lower Wisconsin and Illinois, threatening to knock out power if they damage trees and power lines.

The storm system is expected to weaken Wednesday, potentially unleashing storms from Texas to western New York, bringing less intense threats of hail, winds and potential tornadoes. Meanwhile, an intensified heat wave is affecting Houston, where a large number of residents remain without power due to last week's destructive storms. Authorities have warned that restoring power to some areas could take weeks, leaving people without air conditioning as the heat index could reach triple digits this week.

Heat is the deadliest form of extreme weather and is a growing threat as human-caused climate change leads to longer and more intense periods of extreme heat. Heat indices could soar to 110 degrees this weekend, with the sweltering temperature enveloping the region through early next week until relief finally arrives toward the end of the month.