A powerful storm system is sweeping across the central United States on Sunday, March 30, 2025, bringing a dangerous mix of tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds. From Illinois to eastern Texas, nearly 170 million people are in the path of this two-day weather outbreak, and forecasters say the worst could hit after dark—when tornadoes are harder to see and often deadlier.
It began late Saturday near Oklahoma City, where storms dropped golf ball-sized hail—some with sharp, spiky edges like “little ice weapons,” according to CNN images from KOCO. By Sunday afternoon, the system is charging eastward. Illinois could see activity by 2 p.m. local time, with the threat spreading south to eastern Texas by nightfall, per the Storm Prediction Center (SPC). Warm, wet air from the Gulf is clashing with a cold front dropping in from the north, creating a volatile setup.
“It’s going to get loud,” said CNN meteorologist Mary Gilbert, warning that severe storms could continue well into Monday.
The risks are serious:
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Tornadoes could form, including EF2-strength or higher, with winds over 111 mph—enough to tear roofs off and topple trees.
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Hail may exceed 1.75 inches in diameter, large enough to smash cars and shatter windows.
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Winds could gust past 70 mph, potentially knocking down power lines and damaging homes.
According to storm trackers like INILKYWeather on X, areas of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, and western Kentucky are especially vulnerable from 2 p.m. to midnight. Expect isolated supercells early, followed by a larger line of storms later. “Stay ready,” the group posted Sunday morning.
The timing raises alarm. A 2022 study found that nighttime tornadoes are twice as deadly as daytime ones—people are asleep, unprepared, or can’t see the danger coming. On Sunday morning. the National Weather Service in Illinois posted that the main threats would be high winds and hail, but tornadoes can’t be ruled out. Further south, Ryan Hall, a popular weather analyst on X, warned of supercells forming after sunset across Arkansas, Louisiana, and eastern Texas.
It’s been an active year already—more than 300 tornadoes have been reported since January, nearly double the 164 reported by this time last year, per CNN. Some areas hit by deadly storms earlier this month—like Missouri on March 15—may be impacted again. Saturday’s weather in parts of the Midwest felt like summer, but now a strong cold front is flipping conditions quickly. Oklahoma reported quarter-sized hail Saturday night, and now Texas and Illinois are next in line. “Keep your eyes on the sky,” warned CNN’s Hanna Park, encouraging people to turn on emergency alerts.
Along with tornadoes and hail, flash flooding is a growing concern. Torrential downpours could drop several inches of rain quickly, particularly across the South and Midwest. By Monday, the system will shift toward the Gulf Coast and Appalachians, slamming Louisiana, Mississippi, and nearby states with more severe weather. On Tuesday, it’s expected to reach the Atlantic coast, possibly triggering overnight gusts and storms across the Northeast. “It’s a two-day punch,” said Gilbert.
Authorities are urging people to:
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Charge phones
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Set weather alerts
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Know where to shelter
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Avoid flooded roads
This spring has already been a storm machine, and today’s outbreak—from Illinois to Texas—is shaping up to be one of the most intense yet. Violent, fast-moving, and unpredictable—this is one to take seriously.