Severe thunderstorms are disrupting Memorial Day weekend across the South and Plains, impacting millions just as air travel hits record levels. Over three million passengers were screened Friday, marking one of the busiest travel days in U.S. history.
Damaging winds, large hail, and the potential for tornadoes are forecast to continue through the holiday, as flooding and storm risks stretch from Texas to Missouri. Travel delays and cancellations are likely across affected regions.
Millions at Risk as Powerful Storms Sweep the Central U.S.
Severe weather conditions are affecting Memorial Day weekend plans for millions of Americans. According to NBC News, approximately 13 million people were under threat from dangerous storms on Saturday, spanning from Texas to Alabama, including major cities like Memphis, Denver, Colorado Springs, Birmingham, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa.
Storm clusters developed across parts of southeast Oklahoma, northeast Texas, and Arkansas, prompting a Severe Thunderstorm Watch through Saturday afternoon.
The storms brought wind gusts up to 70 mph and hail measuring up to two inches in diameter. Central Oklahoma faced an increased risk of tornadoes by Saturday evening, with the system forecast to continue into the night.
In Missouri, rainfall totals between 1 and 3 inches were recorded by mid-afternoon, with isolated areas reporting over 5 inches. Flash flooding alerts were issued for parts of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, and Kansas, where total rainfall could reach up to 10 inches through Monday.
By Sunday, the storm threat expanded to 15 million people, with the strongest activity forecast across the Texas Panhandle and western Oklahoma. The primary concerns remained damaging winds, large hail, and isolated tornadoes.
Holiday Travel Surge Clashes With Severe Weather Outlook
The severe weather coincides with a sharp increase in holiday travel. According to the Transportation Security Administration, more than three million travelers passed through airport security checkpoints on Friday, making it the third busiest day in TSA history.
Roughly three million more are expected to travel over the holiday weekend. Airlines and airport officials are urging passengers to arrive at least two hours early, as delays and cancellations are anticipated in storm-affected areas.
On Memorial Day, a continued slight risk of severe weather will impact around nine million people in the Dallas–Fort Worth area. Rain and thunderstorms are forecast to stretch from the Dakotas to the Gulf Coast, with scattered showers reaching the Southeast.
Temperatures are expected to be 10 to 20 degrees below normal across much of the Plains and Mid-Atlantic, ranging from the 50s to the low 70s. While the West remains sunny and mild, central and southern regions are preparing for further disruptions from rain-soaked skies and unstable conditions.
