Summary (tl;dr)

Multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms, bringing threats of strong winds, large hail, and tornadoes, are sweeping across the Upper Midwest and Northern Plains of the United States today, prompting numerous weather watches and warnings.

Essential Background

This current severe weather outbreak is part of a multi-day pattern affecting the central United States. Earlier events included significant wind gusts, such as a 113 mph gust in Kansas, and life-threatening flash flooding in the Ozarks region. The atmosphere remains highly volatile, leading to an ongoing and evolving severe weather threat across a broad area.

The Full Story

Today, June 10, 2026, the focus of the severe weather is shifting eastward, impacting the Upper Mississippi Valley and the Midwest, following an initial "Enhanced Risk" for parts of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska. The National Weather Service is forecasting multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms from early Wednesday morning through Thursday evening. These storms are capable of producing widespread damaging winds, with gusts potentially exceeding 75-80 mph and even reaching "destructive tag" criteria (80+ mph winds or baseball-sized hail), which triggers outdoor warning sirens and text alerts. There is also a significant risk of large hail, some potentially hen-egg sized, and tornadoes, including the possibility of strong tornadoes (EF2 or stronger). Additionally, some areas, particularly in North Dakota and Minnesota, face a threat of heavy to excessive rainfall, which could lead to flash flooding. Dangerous heat advisories are also in effect for parts of Kansas, with heat indices reaching 105-110 degrees Fahrenheit.

Why It Matters

The ongoing severe weather poses a significant threat to life and property, necessitating constant vigilance from residents in affected areas. The potential for strong tornadoes, destructive winds, and large hail can cause widespread damage to homes, vehicles, and infrastructure, leading to power outages and dangerous travel conditions. Flash flooding can also create life-threatening situations and significant property damage. The multi-day nature of this event, with several rounds of storms expected, emphasizes the need for continuous monitoring of weather updates and having multiple ways to receive warnings, especially at night.

Geographic Location

• Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin, United States (multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms, including potential for strong winds, hail, and tornadoes)
• Northern Plains, United States (Enhanced Risk for widespread damaging winds and tornadoes, including parts of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska)
• North Dakota, United States (Enhanced Risk for severe thunderstorms with potential for very large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes; heavy to excessive rainfall and flooding threat)
• South Dakota, United States (Enhanced Risk for severe thunderstorms with potential for very large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes)
• Nebraska, United States (Enhanced Risk for severe thunderstorms with potential for very large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes)
• Eastern Minnesota, United States (Enhanced Risk for severe thunderstorms, including potential for hen-egg sized hail, 75 mph wind gusts, and strong tornadoes; heavy to excessive rainfall and flooding threat)
• Upper Mississippi Valley, United States (shifting threat of severe weather, including eastern Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa)
• Wisconsin, United States (Enhanced Risk for severe thunderstorms, including potential for hen-egg sized hail, 75 mph wind gusts, and strong tornadoes)
• Iowa, United States (Enhanced Risk for severe thunderstorms, including potential for hen-egg sized hail, 75 mph wind gusts, and strong tornadoes)
• Northwest Illinois, United States (Enhanced Risk for severe thunderstorms)
• Pine County, Minnesota, United States (Severe Thunderstorm Watch)
• Crow Wing County, Minnesota, United States (Severe Thunderstorm Watch and Warning)
• Aitkin County, Minnesota, United States (Severe Thunderstorm Watch and Warning)
• Koochiching County, Minnesota, United States (Severe Thunderstorm Watch)
• Cass County, Minnesota, United States (Severe Thunderstorm Watch and Warning)
• Saint Louis County, Minnesota, United States (Severe Thunderstorm Watch)
• Itasca County, Minnesota, United States (Severe Thunderstorm Watch)
• Carlton County, Minnesota, United States (Severe Thunderstorm Watch)
• Burnett County, Wisconsin, United States (Severe Thunderstorm Watch and Warning)
• Becker County, Minnesota, United States (Severe Thunderstorm Watch)
• Roseau County, Minnesota, United States (Severe Thunderstorm Watch)
• Wadena County, Minnesota, United States (Severe Thunderstorm Watch)
• Grant County, Minnesota, United States (Severe Thunderstorm Watch)
• Clay County, Minnesota, United States (Severe Thunderstorm Watch)
• Mahnomen County, Minnesota, United States (Severe Thunderstorm Watch)
• Norman County, Minnesota, United States (Severe Thunderstorm Watch)
• Kittson County, Minnesota, United States (Severe Thunderstorm Watch)
• Pennington County, Minnesota, United States (Severe Thunderstorm Watch)
• Marshall County, Minnesota, United States (Severe Thunderstorm Watch)
• Wilkin County, Minnesota, United States (Severe Thunderstorm Watch)
• Beltrami County, Minnesota, United States (Severe Thunderstorm Watch)
• Otter Tail County, Minnesota, United States (Severe Thunderstorm Watch)
• Clearwater County, Minnesota, United States (Severe Thunderstorm Watch)
• Red Lake County, Minnesota, United States (Severe Thunderstorm Watch)
• Polk County, Minnesota, United States (Severe Thunderstorm Watch)
• Hubbard County, Minnesota, United States (Severe Thunderstorm Watch)
• Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota, United States (Severe Thunderstorm Watch)
• Douglas County, Minnesota, United States (Severe Thunderstorm Watch)
• Renville County, Minnesota, United States (Severe Thunderstorm Watch)
• Swift County, Minnesota, United States (Severe Thunderstorm Watch)
• Pope County, Minnesota, United States (Severe Thunderstorm Watch)
• Martin County, Minnesota, United States (Severe Thunderstorm Watch)
• Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas, United States (heat advisory with heat indices 105-110 degrees, additional chances for severe weather on Wednesday and Thursday)
• Oklahoma Panhandle, Oklahoma, United States (secondary Enhanced Risk for severe weather)
• Southwest Kansas, United States (secondary Enhanced Risk for severe weather)