Powerful storms ravaged the central and eastern United States late Monday, posing severe weather threats such as tornadoes, large hail, and strong winds. T
he storm system affected states including Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Illinois, placing over 9 million people under severe thunderstorm watch.
In Oklahoma, at least three tornadoes were reported, with cities like Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Wichita Falls facing significant risks.
Portions of Oklahoma and Texas were under a "moderate" risk, level 4 on the severe storm severity scale.
The mid-Atlantic region, particularly Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia, also experienced showers and thunderstorms, with localized areas expected to receive several inches of rain, increasing the risk of flash flooding.
The severe weather was forecasted to continue into Tuesday night, extending from Indiana and Ohio to the Chesapeake Bay region.
Over the weekend, the storm system caused storms in Southern California, hail in Illinois, and flooding in the Midwest.
In central Texas, hail as large as grapefruits or baseballs fell, and wind gusts reached nearly 90 mph, prompting a wind advisory.
West Texas faced blowing dust and reduced visibility, leading to multiple accidents.
The storm system was predicted to move through the Ohio and Tennessee valleys and the central Gulf Coast states, affecting more than 50 million people.
Severe weather risks included wind damage, large hail, and tornadoes, especially in middle Tennessee, central and northern Kentucky.
Additionally, the storm system threatened the Midwest and Northeast with a winter storm, starting with snow in Wisconsin and Illinois and intensifying in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Powerful wind gusts were expected along the Atlantic Coast, disrupting travel.
The system marked a significant weather event before the transition to spring and dry months in California.