Tornadoes, wildfires, more severe weather to hit these areas

Severe weather is expected to sweep across much of the country through the early part of next week, with the potential for everything from flash floods, tornadoes and hail, to strong winds, wildfires and snow.

According to the National Weather Service, a "very active Spring weather pattern" is forecasted for the central U.S. through Sunday, April 26, and into early next week, beginning with strong winds and large hail threatening Kansas and Oklahoma.

"A complex weather scenario will unfold today into tonight, with higher confidence in the threat for very large hail and tornadoes tonight across Kansas," the NWS Storm Prediction Center posted to X on Sunday. "A conditional severe threat will extend southward into Oklahoma."

Flash floods threaten Midwest

Excessive rainfall could also lead to flash floods. Sunday advisories are in effect for eastern Kansas, western Missouri, southern Iowa and Nebraska. Come Monday, April 27, eastern Iowa and northern Illinois – including urban areas around Chicago – face a "slight risk for excessive rainfall," the NWS reported.

AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski said that Monday's risk zone will extend nearly 1,000 miles, from Mississippi to Wisconsin, with the "greatest threat for damaging storms" hovering above the St. Louis region.

The NWS is also issuing a winter weather advisory for mountain ranges in Montana, Wyoming and Colorado, which could see half a foot to a foot of snow in some of the higher elevations.

Pueblo, Colorado's weather forecast office is predicting a "quick blast of wintry weather late (Sunday night) through Monday morning, with a mix of fog, freezing drizzle and light snow." Monday morning commuters should be cautious, as ice is expected to build up on roads.

Tornado advisory into Monday

Sunday's storm system is expected to move eastward on Monday, April 27, into Iowa, Missouri, Illinois and other areas within the Middle-Mississippi Valley, bringing with it the potential for "large hail, strong to severe winds, and strong tornadoes," according to the NWS.

"A few long-track, particularly dangerous, tornadoes are possible," The Weather Channel noted. It added in a separate post for April 27, "Tornadoes could reach up to EF3 or even higher in intensity, and the threat lasts into the overnight hours, so anyone facing the severe threat should have a reliable way to get alerts when they go to bed."

Oklahoma is still recovering after a series of tornadoes left 10 people injured and multiple homes damaged across Braman and Enid, home to Vance Air Force Base, on Thursday, April 23.

In a post on X at the time, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt urged residents in the affected area to "stay weather aware, follow local warnings, and take shelter immediately when directed."

Extreme fire risk also in effect

Meanwhile, eastern New Mexico and far west Texas are also under an extreme critical fire weather warning. Wind gusts up to 60 mph are expected to persist through Sunday night, coupled with low humidity and high temperatures.

A red flag warning will remain in effect through 9 p.m. local time on Sunday, according to the ABC affiliate in Amarillo, Texas.