The Spring storm season could ramp up in a big way this week when severe weather sweeps across the U.S., potentially affected as many as 15 million people.

What To Expect For Severe Weather This Week

The unpleasant weather will begin on Thursday. The Weather Channel predicts a round of severe conditions will sweep across the Plains and the Midwest.

Hail and damaging winds are expected for parts of:

  • Texas
  • Oklahoma
  • Kansas
  • Nebraska
  • Iowa

If that wasn't bad enough, The Weather Channel also says there could be a risk for an isolated tornado during round 1 of the severe weather this week. Expect the first wave to last throughout the day on Thursday.

very large hail in the hands
Getty Images/iStockphoto
loading...

Round 2 Could Be Even Worse

Unfortunately, there won't be much relief for folks in the affected areas before the second round of severe weather fires up. This one also could hammer additional states.

Fox Weather is predicting Friday's severe weather will impact a much wider area that will include:

  • Iowa
  • Illinois
  • Missouri
  • Nebraska
  • Kansas
  • Oklahoma
  • Arkansas

"On Friday, atmospheric conditions are more suitable for severe weather, so hail damaging winds and tornadoes will likely be in the increased risk zone," the outlet is reporting.

These conditions could continue on into Friday in some areas.

Twister on countryside
Getty Images/iStockphoto
loading...

More Tornado Reports In 2024

Severe weather has been happening at an above average pace in parts of the U.S. in 2024. Fox Weather noted that there have been more tornadoes reported than usual for this time of the year.

READ MORE: Summer Weather Forecast Predicting Absolutely Miserable Conditions

To date, the National Weather Service has received 347 tornado reports, which is about 10 percent higher than normal. And we haven't even made it to May, which is typically the worst month for tornadoes.

Ohio has been one of the areas hit hardest by tornadoes in 2024. Columbus-based NBC4 is reporting 35 tornadoes so far for this year.

For comparison, the same area had a total of 57 reported tornadoes for all of 2023.

LOOK: The most extreme temperatures in the history of every state

Stacker consulted 2021 data from the NOAA's State Climate Extremes Committee (SCEC) to illustrate the hottest and coldest temperatures ever recorded in each state. Each slide also reveals the all-time highest 24-hour precipitation record and all-time highest 24-hour snowfall.

Keep reading to find out individual state records in alphabetical order.

Gallery Credit: Anuradha Varanasi

KEEP READING: Get answers to 51 of the most frequently asked weather questions...