Tornado-spawning storms threaten central U.S.

A deadly, tornado-spawning storm system that's pummeled large portions of the country for days was threatening the central U.S. into Monday night.The big picture: The National Weather Service confirmed at least four tornadoes in Oklahoma and Nebraska, as some 8.7 million people in half a dozen states were under tornado watches on Monday night. Tornado warnings in effect in Arkansas and Missouri. Lightning galore as storms erupt across the Central U.S. this evening. ⚡️⚡️⚡️ pic.twitter.com/CMyyfnvs65— CIRA (@CIRA_CSU) May 20, 2025 At least 28 deaths have been reported and tens of thousands of lost power since the storms began pummeling much of the U.S. last Friday.There were notable power outages in Missouri (52,000 customers affected), Arkansas (more than 35,000 customers) and Oklahoma (nearly 29,000 customers) late Monday, per utility tracker poweroutage.us.Threat level: Severe thunderstorms with "damaging winds and tornadoes" — some that could be strong — were expected across parts of the Mid-South, Tennessee Valley,and lower Ohio River Valley Tuesday, per the NWS. "Heavy to excessive rainfall, which may lead to flooding, is expected over the lower Ohio Valley Tuesday," the NWS said.The NWS' Storm Prediction Center warned of a moderate risk, or level 4 out of 5 on the threat scale, of severe thunderstorms across much of the southern Plains and into western parts of the Mississippi Valley. "All severe weather hazards are likely: large hail, damaging winds, and a few strong tornadoes are possible," the NWS noted in a forecast discussion Monday.Meanwhile, a moderate risk for excessive rainfall was active across most of northern Arkansas and southern Missouri with a slight risk extending across much of the Mississippi Valley, per the NWS."Storms are expected to expand in coverage and may train. Some locations could see 4-5 inches in the near term through the overnight," the weather agency said.What we're watching: Kentucky has been among the worst-affected areas from the destructive weather system, with 19 people reported killed in tornado-spawning storms — and the NWS' Louisville office said on X more strong storms were possible overnight, with severe weather set to move through the area Tuesday night. This could include "damaging winds, hail, and possibly a few tornadoes," NWS Louisville noted.Between the lines: Climate change is causing extreme precipitation events to become more frequent in much of the U.S. It's been linked to more intense rainstorms across the U.S. Go deeper: How climate change may be altering tornado outbreaksEditor's note: This a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

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