Across the country, we're seeing severe weather hitting nearly every region in the United States.
At the top of our list, we're following a winter storm in the Midwest that could bring record snow to parts of Wisconsin and Michigan later today. We're anticipating power outages and dangerous driving conditions, at the very least.
In the Desert Southwest, a heat wave is pushing temperatures potentially to 100 degrees or higher. In the Plains, high winds with gusts of 70 mph or higher are expected. In Hawaii, a strong Kona low has been flooding residents and left more than 100,000 without power. Millions are under the threat of severe storms.
(FORECASTS:Severe Weather|Winter Storm Iona)
In an effort to keep track of it all, we'll be posting live updates all day long right here.
Follow along below.
(03:19 p.m. EDT) Tornado Watch Issued For Arkansas, Including Little Rock
From digital meteorologist Rob Shackelford:
A new tornado watch has been issued for most of Arkansas, including Little Rock, as well as northwestern Louisiana, far southeastern Oklahoma and northeastern Texas.
This watch will last until 9:00 p.m. local time and could bring a couple of intense tornadoes.
The total population in the watch is nearly 4 million people.
(03:02 p.m. EDT) Tornado Watch Issued For Missouri, Illinois
From digital meteorologist Rob Shackelford:
The first tornado watch of the night has been issued for west-central Illinois and southern and eastern Missouri, including St. Louis until 8:00 pm local time.
The main threats include a few tornadoes, gusts up to 75 mph and ping pong ball-sized hail.
The total population in the tornado watch is more than 3 million people.
(02:45 p.m. EDT) NWS Expands Enhanced Risk Area
As severe storms head across the South tonight, the NWS has considerably expanded the area of enhanced risk. A massive region stretching from Indianapolis, IN, to the Florida Panhandle is now predicted to see intense, widespread and persistent storms.
(02:30 p.m. EDT) This Is What Weather Whiplash Looks Like
By content writer Toby Adeyemi
A resident of central Wisconsin perfectly shows the effects of a weather whiplash. Just three days ago, the weather was warm and sunny. He posted a side by side comparison showing just how much snow has hit the area.
(01:55 p.m. EDT) Red Flag Warnings Issued
By content writer Toby Adeyemi
A Red Flag Warning has been issued across parts of Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Colorado. A strong storm system just ripped through, and now we're left with powerful winds mixing with dry air. Red Flag Warnings in these areas will hold through the evening. A Red Flag Warning means conditions are perfect for fires to start and spread fast so high winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation all create the perfect recipe for this. So outdoor burns, sparks, even tossing a cigarette could turn into a wildfire real quick, be cautious.
(01:30 p.m. EDT) Severe Storms Expected Across South Overnight
The NWS has updated their timing estimates for the severe storms headed across the South and Ohio Valley tonight. Widespread winds as high as 75 mph and tornadoes are possible.
(12:55 p.m. EDT) Emergency Supply Kit Must-Haves
From content writer Toby Adeyemi
When winter weather hits, the last place you want to be caught unprepared is on the road. A simple emergency kit in your car can make the difference between a minor inconvenience and a dangerous situation. Experts recommend keeping essentials like a cell phone charger, first aid kit, jumper cables, tire chains or snow tires, flares, water and snacks, a flashlight, a full tank of gas, a bag of sand or cat litter for traction, boots, mittens and warm clothes, a blanket, a tow rope, and tools like a shovel, ice scraper and snow brush so you're ready if winter weather or a road closure leaves you stranded. If you are planning to leave the house after the snow starts, please be fully stocked and prepared.
(12:30 p.m. EDT) South Dakota And Minnesota Are Closing Roads
By content writer Toby Adeyemi
The Steele County 911 Center in Minnesota isn't suggesting you stay home, they're ordering you to. Steele County has issued a no travel alert due to blizzard conditions that have dropped visibility to zero, making any travel life-threatening and restricted to emergencies only so crews can focus on essential rescues. South Dakota is doing something similar by shutting down hundreds of miles of interstate with no timeline for reopening: I-90 is closed from Sioux Falls to Wall (nearly 300 miles) and I-29 is closed from Sioux Falls to the North Dakota state line.
(12:00 p.m. EDT) Are You Traveling This Week?
From meteorologist Jennifer Gray
If so, you will want to bookmark ourtravel tracker. This week we will face impactful weather from coast to coast, and this has all the up-to-date maps you need before hitting the skies or roads. Keep up with possible airport delays, watches, warnings and more, all in one place.
(11:45 a.m. EDT) Roads Washed Out In Hawaii
And here's a look at what those heavy rains in Hawaii are capable of.
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(11:19 a.m. EDT) Heavy Rains Will Continue In Hawaii
From meteorologist Jennifer Gray
A storm system called a "Kona low" has set up northwest of Hawaii and has brought torrential rain, damaging winds and even heavy snow to the state. Hawaii will continue to face the threat of flash flooding asheavy rain continuesto pound the island chain. Winds in the lower elevations are forecast to reach gusts of 50 mph and in the higher elevations as high as 100 mph.
(10:45 a.m. EDT) Peep The Scene At Hartsfield-Jackson
From content writer Toby Adeyemi
Over 10,000 flights have been delayed already due to the winter storm, and one of the hardest hit airports is the busiest one in the country, Hartsfield-Jackson. Travelers have already stated delays up to one hour getting through TSA and now look at this video footage of the waiting lines.
(10:20 a.m. EDT) What Is Weather Whiplash?
By content writer Toby Adeyemi
With this incoming winter storm, a lot of cities will be hit by a weather whiplash. Weather whiplash refers to rapid, extreme swings between opposing weather conditions over a short period, typically days to weeks. This will be an uncomfortable reality in a few major cities. Chicago, Kansas City, and parts of central Virginia are all expected to be hit with cold temperatures throughout Sunday and into the week, after warm temperatures this week.
(09:57 a.m. EDT) Minnesota Seeing Major Snow
Reports are starting to come in from Minnesota. The highest total we've seen so far is 17" in Millville, MN, but snow continuing to fall throughout the morning. We expect we'll see much higher numbers by the end of the day.
(09:45 a.m. EDT) Heat Wave Ramping Up
From meteorologist Jennifer Gray
Hundreds of record highs could fall this week across the West, astemperatures soar20-30 degrees above average. Highs will feel closer to mid-summer temperatures than early spring. Highs will run well into the 90s and even triple digits across the Desert Southwest.
(09:10 a.m. EDT) Nearly 8000 Flights Delayed
From content writer Toby Adeyemi
Over 1,600 flights have been canceled and more than 7,700 are delayed across the U.S. as severe weather, high airport volume and operational challenges slam major hubs like Minneapolis, New York, Chicago, Kansas City and Atlanta. Delta, Southwest, American and United are suspending or delaying hundreds of flights, leaving thousands of travelers stranded or scrambling to rebook.
(08:45 a.m. EDT) NWS Warns Of Whiteout Conditions, Hazardous Icing, Power Outages
As we anticipate the worst of Winter Storm Iona later today, the National Weather Service is warning of serious impacts across the upper Midwest.
(08:40 a.m. EDT) Minnesota Activates National Guard
From content writer Toby Adeyemi
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed an executive order to bring in the Minnesota National Guard to support and help emergency operations for a major winter storm expected to hit the state late Saturday into Sunday. A winter storm warning goes into effect Saturday at 7 p.m. for central and southern Minnesota, with 12 to 18 inches of snow forecast for the metro area. Expect wind gusts up to 45 mph, which could create blizzard-like conditions, with the heaviest snow expected to fall overnight and in the wee hours of Sunday morning. The emergency order will stay in place until storm conditions subside or Thursday, whichever comes first.
(08:18 a.m. EDT) Floods Destroy Hawaii Home
By content writer Toby Adeyemi
This is some insane footage and it really highlights just how serious and strong this storm is. A home in Lao Valley is completely ripped off the ground as the land behind it is swept away due to flooding from the Kona storm.
(08:00 a.m. EDT) Blizzard Warnings Continue To Expand In The Midwest
As Winter Storm Iona moves in, blizzard warnings are now in effect for parts of Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and South Dakota.
(07:55 a.m. EDT) More Than 65,000 Still Without Power In Hawaii
At the latest count this morning, more than 65,000 people are still without power as a result of the atmospheric river in Hawaii. Flash flood warnings remain in effect across multiple islands as heavy rainfall continues to fall in Hawaii. Writer Toby Adeyemi has the details behind the storm that has caused Gov. Josh Green to issue anemergency proclamation.
(07:37 a.m. EDT) Delta Announces Delays
By content writer Toby Adeyemi
If you are planning on flying tomorrow, especially if you are on Delta, expect delays and cancellations. Delta tweeted out a prewarning and is advising you get ahead of any scheduled flight plans through the Midwest.
(07:25 a.m. EDT) What Is Severe Weather?
From senior digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:
While many people define severe weather as any damaging weather event, meteorologists are more narrowly focused on thunderstorm impacts:
A tornado
Wind gusts of at least 58 mph
Hail of at least one inch in diameter
(MORE:What Meteorologists Mean By Severe Weather)
(07:15 a.m. EDT) Looking For Maps?
The easiest way to follow a storm is on our maps. Track everything from current conditions, forecasts and potential impacts from Winter Storm Iona and the severe weather on the southern endhere.
(06:05 a.m. EDT) What Is A Blizzard?
From senior digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:
Blizzard conditions are categorized by meeting all of the following criteria:
Blowing and/or falling snow
Winds of at least 35 mph
A reduction of visibility to a quarter mile or less
All those conditions persist for at least 3 hours
(MORE:Blizzards Explained)