Tornado Warnings Active Across Plains — July 4, 2026 — SevereWX

Severe weather intensifies overnight into July 4

An Enhanced risk for severe thunderstorms covers Nebraska, where storms can produce very large hail, damaging winds, and an isolated tornado. Slight risks stretch across South Dakota, Iowa, and Mid-Atlantic states including Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Multiple severe thunderstorm watches now blanket parts of the Plains and Midwest, while warnings are firing for intense storms reaching affected areas.

Late evening activity centers on Nebraska and surrounding states, with eastward progression bringing warnings to Illinois and Pennsylvania. Storms remain capable of 60 mph wind gusts and baseball-size hail right now, and conditions favor continued development over the next couple of hours under ongoing watches.

Timeline

7:37 PM EDT — Severe Thunderstorm Watch for central Illinois counties

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 3:00 AM EDT covering Marshall and Stark counties in Illinois. Storms crossing the area pose risks of damaging winds and large hail. Prepare for possible warnings as cells strengthen.

8:01 PM EDT — Severe Thunderstorm Watch for northeast Kansas counties

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch covers Clay, Cloud, Marshall, Nemaha, Ottawa, Pottawatomie, Republic, Riley, and Washington counties in Kansas until 2:00 AM EDT. Thunderstorms here may pack damaging winds and large hail over the next few hours. Stay alert for local warnings.

8:27 PM EDT — SPC eyes severe storms in southwestern South Dakota, Nebraska

The Storm Prediction Center issued a mesoscale discussion for southwestern South Dakota, northwestern and north-central Nebraska, concerning Severe Thunderstorm Watch 446. Storms are organizing and expected to intensify, bringing risks of severe hail and winds. The watch supports ongoing monitoring in these areas.

9:33 PM EDT — SPC discusses severe potential far eastern Iowa to northern Illinois

SPC released a mesoscale discussion for far eastern Iowa into northern Illinois, concerning Severe Thunderstorm Watch 451. Conditions are supporting storm development with severe wind and hail threats now through the coming hours. Activity is shifting eastward.

10:16 PM EDT — SPC highlights risks north-central Kansas to Iowa

A mesoscale discussion from SPC covers north-central and northeast Kansas, far southeast Nebraska, southwest Iowa, and far northwest Missouri, concerning Severe Thunderstorm Watches 449 and 452. Storms pose severe hail and damaging wind threats currently. Expect escalation over the next hour or two.

10:29 PM EDT — SPC notes severe potential northern Indiana, southwest Michigan

The Storm Prediction Center issued a mesoscale discussion for northern Indiana and far southwest Lower Michigan, indicating severe potential but a watch is unlikely with only 20% probability. Scattered storms may still produce damaging winds and hail tonight. Monitor radar closely.

10:37 PM EDT — SPC discussion central/southwest Nebraska to Colorado

SPC's mesoscale discussion targets central and southwest Nebraska plus far northeast Colorado, concerning Severe Thunderstorm Watch 450. Storms here are intensifying with severe hail and wind gusts underway. Threats persist into the late night.

11:12 PM EDT — Severe Thunderstorm Watch for north-central Illinois

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is now active until 3:00 AM EDT for Bureau and Putnam counties in Illinois. Incoming storms carry risks of damaging winds and large hail. Warnings could follow soon.

11:15 PM EDT — Severe Thunderstorm Warning for northeastern Montana

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect until 12:15 AM EDT for Richland and Roosevelt counties in Montana. Radar shows a dangerous storm capable of damaging winds and large hail moving through the area. Take cover if in path.

11:16 PM EDT — Severe Thunderstorm Watch for north-central Nebraska

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch covers Blaine, Brown, Cherry, Custer, Hooker, Keith, Keya Paha, Lincoln, Logan, Loup, and additional north-central Nebraska counties until 1:00 AM EDT. Storms developing now threaten severe hail and winds. Prepare accordingly.

11:44 PM EDT — Severe Thunderstorm Watch for central Kansas

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 2:00 AM EDT for Lincoln County in Kansas. Thunderstorms may produce damaging winds and hail as they move southeast. Stay weather-aware.

11:45 PM EDT — Severe Thunderstorm Warning for north-central Pennsylvania

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning covers Clearfield and Elk counties in Pennsylvania until 12:30 AM EDT. The storm is producing damaging winds and heavy rain right now. Seek shelter indoors.

11:49 PM EDT — Severe Thunderstorm Watch for northeast Illinois, northwest Indiana

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 3:00 AM EDT includes Ford, Grundy, Iroquois, Kankakee, Livingston, Will counties in Illinois; Benton, Jasper, Lake, Newton counties in Indiana. Storms en route pose severe wind and hail risks. Warnings likely soon.

11:49 PM EDT — Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Lake Michigan nearshore waters

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 3:00 AM EDT affects Calumet Harbor IL to Gary IN, Gary to Burns Harbor IN, Burns Harbor to Michigan City IN, and Lake Michigan from Wilmette Harbor IL to New Buffalo MI. Waterspouts, strong winds possible over the lake. Boaters advised to seek shelter.

11:51 PM EDT — Severe Thunderstorm Warning for central Illinois

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is active until 12:15 AM EDT for Sangamon County in Illinois. Radar-confirmed storm brings damaging winds and large hail currently. Move to interior rooms.

11:55 PM EDT — Severe Thunderstorm Warning for northwest Pennsylvania

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning until 12:15 AM EDT covers Forest and Jefferson counties in Pennsylvania. The storm is capable of 60 mph winds and hail. Take precautions immediately.

12:05 AM EDT — Severe Warning: Logan/Menard Counties, IL

A severe thunderstorm warning is now in effect for Logan and Menard counties in central Illinois until 12:45 AM EDT. Strong storms capable of producing damaging winds and large hail are moving through the area. Residents should seek shelter away from windows.

12:06 AM EDT — Severe Warning: Central PA Counties

Severe thunderstorm warnings cover Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton and Elk counties in Pennsylvania until 12:45 AM EDT. These storms bring risks of high winds that could down trees and power lines, plus very large hail. Move indoors immediately if threatened.

12:11 AM EDT — Severe Warning: Divide County, ND

A severe thunderstorm warning is active for Divide County in northwest North Dakota until 12:45 AM EDT. Expect intense storms with potential for destructive wind gusts and hail larger than golf balls. Take cover in a sturdy building.

12:29 AM EDT — Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Divide, ND

A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for Divide County in North Dakota until 12:45 AM EDT. Strong winds, large hail, and heavy rain are possible in the warned area. It could be extended or canceled by the National Weather Service.

12:40 AM EDT — Severe Thunderstorm Warning northwest ND

A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for Divide and Williams counties in North Dakota until 1:30 AM EDT. Strong storms capable of producing damaging winds and large hail are moving through the area. Residents should seek shelter indoors away from windows.

12:50 AM EDT — Severe thunderstorm warning for northwest MO, northeast KS

A severe thunderstorm warning is now in effect until 1:30 AM EDT for Doniphan County in Kansas and Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, DeKalb, Gentry, Holt and Nodaway Counties in Missouri.

These storms have the potential for large hail and damaging wind gusts.

Stay indoors and away from windows if in the area.

12:57 AM EDT — Severe thunderstorm warning for central IL

A severe thunderstorm warning is active until 2:00 AM EDT for Macon, Moultrie and Shelby Counties in Illinois.

Expect possible large hail and strong wind gusts from this storm.

Take shelter if threatening weather approaches.

1:03 AM EDT — Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Divide/Williams ND

A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for Divide and Williams counties in North Dakota until 1:30 AM EDT. Damaging wind gusts and large hail are the main threats. Residents in the area should seek shelter if storms approach.

1:21 AM EDT — Severe Warning: Elbert, CO

A severe thunderstorm warning is now in effect for Elbert County, Colorado, until 2:00 AM EDT. Storms in this area could bring damaging winds and large hail. Take cover if you're in the warned zone.

1:25 AM EDT — Severe Warning: Burke/Divide/Williams, ND

Severe thunderstorm warning issued for Burke, Divide, and Williams Counties in North Dakota until 2:15 AM EDT. Expect strong winds capable of damage and very large hail. Move indoors away from windows for safety.

1:27 AM EDT — Severe Warning: Macon/Moultrie, IL

A severe thunderstorm warning covers Macon and Moultrie Counties, Illinois, until 2:00 AM EDT. These storms pack large hail and wind gusts that can cause harm. Seek shelter immediately if affected.

1:28 AM EDT — Severe Warning: Doniphan KS, NW MO Counties

Severe thunderstorm warning for Doniphan County, KS, and Andrew, Buchanan, Clinton, DeKalb, Gentry, Holt, and Platte Counties, MO, until 2:15 AM EDT. Damaging winds and large hail are the main threats. Protect yourself by heading to a sturdy building.

1:34 AM EDT — Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Elbert, CO

New severe thunderstorm warning for Elbert County in Colorado until 2:00 AM EDT. Expect large hail and damaging wind gusts with this storm. Move indoors away from windows if you're in the warned area.

1:35 AM EDT — Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Seward, NE

Severe thunderstorm warning now active for Seward County in Nebraska until 2:00 AM EDT. The storm packs potential for large hail and strong winds. Take cover immediately if affected.

1:41 AM EDT — Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Burke/Divide/Williams, ND

Severe thunderstorm warning issued for Burke, Divide, and Williams Counties in North Dakota until 2:15 AM EDT. Damaging winds and large hail are possible. Seek shelter right away.

1:43 AM EDT — Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Lincoln/Washington, CO

New severe thunderstorm warning for Lincoln and Washington Counties in Colorado until 2:00 AM EDT. This storm could bring large hail and destructive wind gusts. Get to a safe place now.

1:46 AM EDT — Severe Thunderstorm Warning: NE KS, NW MO

A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect until 2:15 AM EDT for Doniphan County KS and Andrew, Buchanan, Clinton, DeKalb, Gentry, Holt, Platte counties MO. These storms may bring damaging winds and large hail. The warning could be extended or canceled by the NWS.

1:50 AM EDT — SPC MD 1486: NE CO, NW KS, SW NE

The Storm Prediction Center issued Mesoscale Discussion 1486 for severe potential in parts of northeast CO into northwest KS and far southwest NE. Storms here could intensify quickly. A watch is possible with 40% probability.

1:52 AM EDT — Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Kit Carson CO

A severe thunderstorm warning is now in effect until 2:45 AM EDT for Kit Carson County in Colorado. Expect possible damaging winds and large hail from this storm. It could be extended or canceled.

1:55 AM EDT — Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Lincoln/Washington CO

Severe thunderstorm warning issued until 2:30 AM EDT for Lincoln and Washington counties in Colorado. These storms could produce damaging winds and large hail. Stay alert as conditions evolve.

1:57 AM EDT — Tornado Warning: Elbert/Lincoln CO

A tornado warning is now in effect until 2:15 AM EDT for Elbert and Lincoln counties in Colorado — it could be extended or canceled by NWS. Radar indicates rotation capable of producing a tornado. Damaging winds and large hail are also possible.

What's Next

Severe thunderstorms persist across the Plains overnight, with a tornado warning active in eastern Colorado and others nearby. SPC highlights severe risk in northeast CO into northwest KS and southwest NE, where a watch could form soon. Additional storms may develop into the morning; stay weather-aware.

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