A large area in Nebraska is facing the potential impact of severe thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon and evening, with threats of tennis ball-sized hail and damaging winds expanding across seven states in the central United States. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Storm Prediction Center has issued a Level 3 out of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms in Nebraska and north Kansas.

The affected region, which includes cities like Grand Island, Kearney, North Platte, Norfolk, and areas northwest of Kansas City, Kansas, could experience hail up to 3 inches in diameter and winds ranging from 60 to 80 mph. Additionally, there is a possibility of tornado formation within this area.

According to FOX Weather Meteorologist Jane Minar, the storms are expected to develop along a cold front and dry line boundary. Discrete supercells are projected to erupt during the late afternoon and evening, with Nebraska facing a higher potential for tornadoes.

The severity of the storms prompted the issuance of a Tornado Watch by the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma, covering parts of the Oklahoma Panhandle and West and Northwest Texas. The watch will remain in effect until Sunday night.

While parts of North Texas and southern Oklahoma have already experienced severe thunderstorms, bringing the potential for large hail up to 2 inches and wind gusts reaching 70 mph, the strongest line of storms is forecasted to impact Nebraska after dark on Sunday.

The threat of flash flooding is also imminent, with heavy rain anticipated between Sunday night and Monday morning in the northern Plains. This persistent risk of flooding will continue into Tuesday for certain areas along the Missouri River in Nebraska.

The severity of the storms has prompted the SPC to extend a Level 2 out of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms to a larger area, encompassing major cities such as Wichita, Kansas, and Lincoln, Nebraska, as well as locations from southwest Texas to Minnesota. This expanded risk area covers approximately 9.5 million people.

Residents in the affected regions, particularly in Nebraska, are urged to stay informed about the weather conditions and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety and protect property from potential hail damage, high winds, and flooding.