Mother Nature is refusing to take a break this Memorial Day weekend, as dangerous storms and scorching heat are set to impact vast portions of the United States. A near-record number of people are expected to travel, making it one of the busiest periods in nearly two decades, according to AAA. However, travelers may have to contend with a multi-day severe thunderstorm event, featuring damaging winds, dangerous hail, and strong tornadoes, unfolding in the central, southern, and eastern regions of the country.

The month of May has witnessed relentless severe weather, intensifying even further this week. Since Sunday, there have been nearly 850 wind damage reports and at least 80 tornado reports across the US. Tragically, an EF4 tornado, the third violent tornado this year, struck Greenfield, Iowa on Tuesday, claiming at least four lives and leaving parts of the city in ruins. The Storm Prediction Center has warned of the potential for more strong tornadoes, possibly exceeding EF4 strength, in parts of the Plains on Saturday, and portions of the Midwest on Sunday.

Saturday is expected to start with storm-free conditions in the Plains, but dangerous storms are projected to develop in the evening, affecting western Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma, before expanding in scope and strength overnight and moving towards the Mississippi Valley. A Level 4 of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms is in place for a large area encompassing much of Kansas, Oklahoma, and parts of western Missouri, including major cities like Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Wichita. The SPC cautions that this area faces the greatest risk of "violent tornadoes, extreme hail, and widespread wind damage," though these hazards may extend beyond the designated zone, reaching from Texas through Nebraska to the Mississippi Valley.

While robust thunderstorms will diminish over parts of the Mississippi Valley by Sunday morning, another round of damaging storms is expected to quickly follow. Thunderstorms will develop over the Midwest on Sunday afternoon, gradually extending south and east through the evening and overnight hours. Consequently, powerful storms could stretch from the Great Lakes to the South by Sunday night. Damaging wind gusts, hail, and the possibility of tornadoes may be hazards associated with severe thunderstorms during this period, particularly in the Midwest during the afternoon and evening.

As these severe weather conditions loom, major travel hubs such as Chicago, Indianapolis, St. Louis, and Nashville may experience delayed or canceled flights due to the impact of damaging storms. Moreover, thunderstorm activity is anticipated to persist on Memorial Day Monday, potentially disrupting outdoor plans and travel in a large portion of the East. Although the extent of the threat is not yet clear, some of these thunderstorms could become severe. It's important to note that even in the absence of damaging winds, hail, or tornadoes, the risk of lightning poses a serious threat for outdoor activities such as picnics, pool parties, and beach trips.

While inland areas brace for severe storms, coastal regions face a different threat – scorching heat. Many flock to the beaches to celebrate the unofficial start of summer, but they will encounter record-breaking heat in some areas. South Texas and South Florida have already experienced record-breaking temperatures this month, further exacerbated by human-induced climate change. Throughout the weekend, the record heat is expected to expand, putting daily high temperature records at risk from Texas through the Southeast, with air temperatures soaring well into the 90s. Cities along the Gulf and southeast Atlantic coasts, including Houston, New Orleans, Miami, Mobile, Alabama, Tampa, Florida, and Charleston, South Carolina, will feel more like July than late May during the Memorial Day weekend.

The heat index, which measures what the body actually feels, may approach triple digits along the southern tier of the US, raising health risks posed by extreme weather conditions. To mitigate these risks, it is crucial for individuals to stay hydrated and be vigilant for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. In southern Texas, the heat index could reach between 110 and 120 degrees, including cities like Corpus Christi and Laredo, according to the National Weather Service.

As Americans prepare to commemorate Memorial Day, they must remain aware of the potentially hazardous weather conditions that lie ahead. With severe storms posing threats of tornadoes, damaging winds, and hail in central, southern, and eastern parts of the US, combined with the scorching heat expected along the Gulf and southeast Atlantic coasts, it is essential to prioritize safety measures and be prepared for possible travel disruptions and significant impacts on outdoor plans.