A nasty batch of storms is barreling toward the Midwest, primed to unleash chaos Saturday afternoon. The National Weather Service is sounding the alarm, warning of powerful thunderstorms packing tornadoes, hail the size of golf balls, and winds that could rip limbs off trees. If you’re in Missouri, Arkansas, or southern Illinois, this is no drill—get ready now.
The Storm Prediction Center upgraded its outlook late Friday, slapping an Enhanced Risk label on a wide swath from central Missouri down to northern Arkansas. Some areas, especially around Springfield and Branson, could see conditions ripe for “strong” tornadoes—think EF2 or worse, capable of flattening homes. The worst is expected to hit between early afternoon and late evening on Saturday, April 19, as a potent low-pressure system drags a warm, soupy air mass into a collision with cooler, unstable air. That’s the recipe for supercell thunderstorms, the kind that spawn twisters and leave a mess.
Hail and wind are big worries too. Forecasters say storms could drop hail up to two inches across, enough to dent cars and crack windshields. Gusts topping 70 miles an hour might knock out power lines and send debris flying. Flash flooding’s also on the table, with some spots potentially seeing two to three inches of rain in a few hours. Low-lying areas and urban spots with lousy drainage could turn into swamps fast.
The National Weather Service urges everyone in the risk zone to have a plan. That means knowing where to shelter—ideally a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows. Mobile homes and cars are death traps in tornadoes, so find sturdier cover if you can. Keep a weather radio handy or enable emergency alerts on your phone. Charge devices now; power outages are a real possibility. If you’ve got outdoor furniture or loose yard stuff, secure it or haul it inside before the winds kick up.
This isn’t the first rough weather this spring, but it’s shaping up to be one of the uglier systems. The Storm Prediction Center’s data shows 14 tornadoes already confirmed across the Midwest this April, and Saturday’s setup looks primed to add to that tally. A Tornado Watch is likely by Saturday morning, with precise counties named as the storms take shape. Stay glued to local news or official weather apps for updates.
For those in cities like St. Louis, Little Rock, or Joplin, timing matters. Storms are expected to fire up in western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma by midday, marching northeast through the afternoon. By evening, the threat shifts toward central Missouri and southern Illinois. Rural areas aren’t off the hook—open fields can amplify wind damage, and spotty cell service might cut you off from warnings.
Emergency management officials are prepping. Missouri’s State Emergency Management Agency has response teams on standby, and Arkansas officials are urging residents to review evacuation routes. FEMA’s latest guidance stresses having a go-bag ready: water, food, meds, and important papers, just in case you need to bolt.
Saturday’s forecast isn’t all doom—Sunday should bring calmer skies—but the next 24 hours could be a wild ride. Stay sharp, stay safe, and don’t ignore the warnings.
The Storm Prediction Center’s Enhanced Risk covers parts of Missouri, Arkansas, southern Illinois, and eastern Oklahoma. Storms are expected Saturday afternoon through evening, April 19. Threats include tornadoes, large hail, damaging winds, and flash flooding. The National Weather Service advises sheltering in a sturdy building’s lowest floor during severe storms.