Severe weather in the upper Midwest expected today

Another round of severe weather is likely today, June 10, 2026, for the upper Midwest. Forecasters are warning of large hail of 2 inches (5 cm) or larger in diameter, damaging wind of more than 75 miles per hour (120 kph) and strong tornadoes. The severe threat then shifts southeast Thursday to the Great Lakes and Missouri and Mississippi Valleys, with the main threats again being strong tornadoes, large hail and destructive thunderstorm winds, according to the Storm Prediction Center.

Severe weather on Wednesday

Unusually warm and humid weather for parts of the upper Midwest will interact with a cold front on Wednesday, creating the chance for severe weather in two waves.

The first wave of possible severe weather is expected in the morning across parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin. These storms are remnants of Tuesday night’s storms, pushing east across these areas.

From there, the cold front will move east across these areas that are warm and humid and initiate more thunderstorms by the afternoon. The afternoon storms will likely start as individual supercells, or strong, rotating thunderstorms. This will bring the greatest chance for large hail of more than 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter and strong tornadoes, possibly up to EF-2 in strength.

The storms will eventually transition into more of a storm complex, like a bow echo or derecho. This would favor a damaging wind threat, but tornadoes are still possible.

More than 11-million people are under a level 3 Enhanced Risk for severe weather, including those in the cities of Duluth and Minneapolis, in Minnesota, La Crosse and Madison in Wisconsin, Rockford in Illinois and Cedar Rapids in Iowa. An Enhanced Risk is a level 3 out of 5, typically meaning that several storms are expected to bring severe risks like damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes.

While this is where the worst of the severe weather is likely to occur, the threat for damaging wind gusts, severe hail and tornadoes stretches from Lubbock, Texas, through Springfield, Illinois, and out toward Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Severe weather on Thursday

The threat for severe weather shifts southeast on Thursday. The Enhanced Risk includes Milwaukee and Madison in Wisconsin, Chicago, Rockford and Springfield in Illinois, Grand Rapids in Michigan and Hannibal in Missouri.

Severe storms are expected to bring destructive wind, strong tornadoes and large hail. Once more, warm and humid conditions will be in place across the upper Midwest and Great Lakes Thursday. So as the cold front continues moving east, storms are expected to develop by late morning before moving east with the front. Like the previous day, the more isolated storms and supercells have the greatest risk for strong tornadoes and large hail, but storms will eventually start to “bow” out, supporting more of a damaging wind threat, but tornadoes are still possible.

While the worst of the weather will again be focused in the upper Midwest and Great Lakes, severe storms are still possible from Oklahoma out toward the Mid-Atlantic. There is also a risk for severe weather Friday from eastern Kentucky and western Virginia up through western New York. Damaging wind gusts and large hail are the most likely threats.

Outdoor storm safety

As we get closer to the beginning of summer, many children are out of school, and families may be planning vacations or other outdoor activities. Especially if your plans take you outside, it’s important to have a severe weather plan in place before the weather gets bad!

First is to make sure you’re staying up to date with the forecast. Check in with the trusted, local meteorologists for the area as well as the National Weather Service. This is a great way not only to plan your trip, but also to stay ahead of whatever weather will impact you.

If severe weather is in the forecast, know the best ways to get important warnings. Tornado warnings and flash flood warnings will automatically sound on your phone, as will severe thunderstorm warnings that are particularly dangerous. It’s also vital to have a weather radio programmed for your location (or the location where you will be traveling) as these radios are designed to be loud and wake you up in the middle of the night or alert you from another room.

Also make sure you know where your safe space is. No place outside is safe during a thunderstorm. During a storm, get inside the closest enclosed building or vehicle with the windows rolled up and wait out the storm. But during a tornado, do not shelter in a car.

You can find more safety tips here for when you’re planning your summer activities.

Bottom line: Severe weather is expected today and tomorrow across the Midwest and Great Lakes. Tornadoes, destructive wind and large hail are possible.

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