Severe thunderstorm warnings were issued across multiple states Tuesday afternoon as fast-moving storms capable of damaging wind gusts and large hail swept from the Northeast through the Midwest and into parts of the South and Texas, putting millions of Americans on alert.
The National Weather Service (NWS) warned that storms moving as fast as 50 mph could produce wind gusts up to 60 mph and hail as large as half-dollar size, with impacts ranging from downed trees and power outages to damage to vehicles and buildings.
Warnings were in effect in areas including Connecticut, Michigan, Indiana, and parts of Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana, with forecasters also flagging localized flooding risks in some locations as torrential rain accompanies the storms.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Live Tracker Maps
Animated weather footage from windy.com showed the progression of the storms on Tuesday afternoon.
Weather radar
Rain Forecast
Wind Gusts
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: What We Know
- Main hazards: 60 mph wind gusts, hail up to 1.25 inches
- Storm movement: Generally east or northeast at 30–50 mph
- Primary impacts: Tree and power line damage, roof and siding damage, vehicle damage from hail
- Additional risks: Isolated torrential rainfall and localized flash flooding
The warnings span parts of the Northeast, Midwest, South, and Texas.
- Northeast: Hartford County, Connecticut (including Hartford, Bristol, Manchester)
- Michigan: Wayne, Macomb, and St. Clair counties (including Detroit-area communities)
- Indiana and Ohio: Hendricks and Marion counties near Indianapolis; Spencer County in southwest Indiana. Severe thunderstorm warnings also extended into Ohio, but have since expired.
- Arkansas/Louisiana/Texas region: Parts of northern Louisiana, southern Arkansas, and eastern Texas, including Shreveport and Marshall.
- West-Central Texas: Brown, Tom Green, Sterling, and Irion counties
In the Detroit metro area and surrounding parts of southeastern Michigan, multiple warnings remain in effect as a line of storms moves quickly eastward. These storms are capable of producing larger hail—up to half-dollar size in Wayne County—and could lead to significant damage to vehicles and structures. Similarly, a separate line of storms impacting southern Macomb County and nearby areas is expected to bring strong winds and hail as it progresses.
In the Northeast, a storm moving through northern Connecticut is expected to impact densely populated areas including Hartford and West Hartford, with damaging winds and small hail posing a risk to trees and power lines. Meanwhile, storms across Indiana—particularly around Indianapolis—are bringing not only strong winds but also torrential rainfall, raising concerns about flash flooding in addition to structural damage.
Further south, a broader line of thunderstorms stretching across parts of Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas is producing widespread damaging winds. Forecasters warn that in some cases, wind damage may occur ahead of rainfall or lightning, underscoring the need for residents to seek shelter promptly even if conditions have not yet visibly worsened.
Across all warned regions, the NWS is emphasizing the importance of taking immediate precautions, including moving to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and avoiding travel during hazardous conditions, particularly in areas experiencing heavy rain and flooding.
Severe Thunderstorms: What Happens Next
Those within the alert area of the severe thunderstorm were urged to take shelter as the storms passed through.
Most of the severe thunderstorm warnings issued Tuesday afternoon are short-lived, typically lasting 30 to 60 minutes, and are expected to expire shortly after the storms move through affected areas.
However, the broader severe weather threat is not expected to end as quickly. More expansive severe thunderstorm watches encompassing millions of people remain in effect across several regions and will persist into the evening hours, signaling that conditions remain favorable for additional storms to develop.
Forecasters warn that new warnings could be issued with little notice as storms redevelop or intensify, meaning residents in watch areas should stay alert even after individual warnings expire.
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