Severe Thunderstorm Threat from Southern Plains to Midwest
Severe thunderstorms are expected to develop late this afternoon and continue into tonight across parts of the southern Plains and Midwest. The greatest risk will stretch from northern Texas through eastern Oklahoma and Kansas into western Arkansas, Missouri, and parts of southwest Iowa. Storms in these areas could produce very large hail, damaging winds, and a few strong tornadoes. Farther north and east, from central Texas through the Midwest into southern Wisconsin, scattered storms may also become severe with hail, gusty winds, and an isolated tornado possible. Warm, humid air moving northward ahead of a cold front will help fuel storm development, while strong winds higher in the atmosphere will support organized and rotating thunderstorms. Additional storms may develop along the advancing front tonight, with severe weather threats gradually shifting eastward as the system moves through the region.

Critical Fire Weather Conditions Expected Across the Southern High Plains
Dangerous fire weather conditions are expected today across portions of eastern New Mexico, the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles, southwest Kansas, and much of West Texas. Strong winds combined with very dry air will create an environment where fires could start easily and spread quickly. Sustained southwest winds of 20 to 30 mph, with higher gusts possible, will overlap with extremely low humidity levels, in some places dropping near 10 to 15 percent. These conditions, along with dry vegetation, will lead to critical fire danger across much of the region. Areas that recently received heavier rainfall in parts of the eastern Texas Panhandle may see slightly lower fire risk. Later today, a cold front will move south through the region, shifting winds and gradually bringing cooler temperatures and slightly higher humidity, which should help reduce the fire threat by tonight.