Mother Nature is throwing a curveball at the weekend plans of millions across the South. The National Weather Service has issued severe thunderstorm warnings for four states tonight, with wind gusts that could reach up to 70 miles per hour — especially in Mississippi. If you're planning to catch a game or head to an outdoor event, you might want to keep one eye on the sky.
The trouble began Friday afternoon in Texas, where storms were expected to fire up along the I‑35 and I‑20 corridors between 5 and 6 p.m. local time. As the system pushes east, the danger zone will shift toward the Highway 271 corridor, where conditions are expected to peak around sunset — roughly 8 to 9 p.m. The primary threats include large hail, damaging straight-line winds, and heavy downpours that could trigger localized flooding. And while the tornado risk isn't a sure thing, forecasters say it's not zero, so staying weather‑aware is critical.
But Texas isn't the only state in the crosshairs. The National Weather Service has also issued thunderstorm warnings for Arkansas, Mississippi, and Oklahoma. All four states are bracing for wind gusts of up to 60 mph, but Mississippi could see gusts as high as 70 mph — enough to knock down tree limbs, toss unsecured objects, and potentially disrupt outdoor sports activities. For a reminder of how quickly severe weather can turn dangerous, check out our coverage of 80 MPH Winds and Softball-Sized Hail: Tornado Watch Engulfs Three States.
With this kind of wind, it's not just about staying dry — it's about staying safe. The National Weather Service recommends the following steps if you find yourself in the path of a severe thunderstorm:
- Keep a NOAA Weather Radio or local news app handy for real‑time updates on watches and warnings.
- If a severe thunderstorm warning is issued for your area, head to your secure location immediately.
- Stay away from windows if damaging wind or large hail is approaching.
- Get inside a sturdy building as soon as you hear thunder or see threatening clouds.
- If you're caught in a vehicle, remember that being inside a car is safer than being outside — but if you can safely drive to a sturdy shelter, do so.
Sports fans, take note: these storms could easily mess with your evening plans. Whether you're heading to a high school football game, a local soccer match, or just watching from home, power outages and travel disruptions are possible. For a broader look at how severe weather is affecting sports schedules across the country, read our report on Severe Thunderstorm Risk for 8 States Could Disrupt Outdoor Activities.
This isn't the first time this week that severe weather has put a damper on outdoor events. Earlier, we saw Flood Warnings Threaten Sports Events Across Eight States as Storms Roll In, and the pattern doesn't seem to be letting up. If you're in one of the affected states — Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, or Texas — make sure you have a plan. Charge your devices, secure loose items around your home, and know where you'll take shelter if the warning sirens sound.
Stay safe out there. We'll keep you updated as this system moves through.
