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Severe Storms Forecast Across Central U.S. on Friday
Millions face risks of heavy rain, strong winds, hail and tornadoes
Published on Mar. 6, 2026
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Weather forecasters are warning residents across a large section of the Central United States on Friday that one of the first big storm systems of the spring season could deliver damaging winds, large hail, tornadoes, and heavy downpours. About 50 million people from Texas to the Great Lakes are facing the potential for severe weather as the storms move through the region.
Why it matters
The severe storms come at the start of the spring severe weather season, which typically runs from March through June in the Central U.S. The region is prone to powerful thunderstorms, hail, and tornadoes during this time of year, and forecasters say these storms could be among the first major weather threats of 2026.
The details
Forecasters warn the storms are expected to last from the afternoon into the evening on Friday, and could continue overnight. The main threats include large hail (possibly larger than baseballs), damaging wind gusts over 80 mph, and strong tornadoes, especially across eastern Oklahoma, eastern Kansas, and western Missouri.
- The storms are expected to move through the region on Friday, March 6, 2026.
- The severe weather is forecast to last from the afternoon into the overnight hours on Friday.
The players
National Weather Service
The federal agency responsible for weather forecasting and issuing severe weather warnings across the United States.
Erin Maxwell
A meteorologist with the National Weather Service's office in Norman, Oklahoma.
What they’re saying
“It's starting to get to that time of year when we see more days of potentially severe weather.”
— Erin Maxwell, Meteorologist (The New York Times)
The takeaway
Residents across the Central U.S. should closely monitor weather forecasts and be prepared to take shelter if severe storms, including the potential for tornadoes, develop in their area on Friday. This is an early-season reminder of the importance of severe weather preparedness in this region.
