A derecho (a widespread thunderstorm induced damaging wind event) developed in southeast Kansas early Friday morning. It rode across southern Missouri, and northern Arkansas and southern Illinois producing wind gusts over 100 mph and tornadoes. Winds gusted over 50 mph for over an hour in Joplin and Springfield, Mo., with the derecho. A tornado was also confirmed in Springfield as the storms moved through. Significant damage has been reported all along the path of the system. There were four deaths reported.
The derecho weakened during the afternoon hours as it moved through Kentucky. The main threat from what is left of the system is heavy rain in the Appalachians. Significant flooding is possible over parts of West Virginia.
Scattered strong thunderstorms have developed in southern Oklahoma and northern Texas. Strong winds, hail and even a few tornadoes are possible.
Parts of the Upper Midwest, mainly from Iowa to Wisconsin, will also see thunderstorms into the overnight hours. Some storms may contain large hail.