Severe Thunderstorms, 'Very Large Hail' Headed for Two U.S. Regions

With parts of the United States experiencing record-setting heat this week, it's only natural to expect there will be heavy rains to break up the hot weather.

On Thursday, the National Weather Service is cautioning residents in two regions to be on the lookout for possible severe weather, including thunderstorms, damaging winds and "large to very large hail."

What to know

Late Thursday morning, the NWS issued a severe weather forecast for southern Vermont and a large portion of New York, as well as northern Arkansas.

"Scattered severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon over New York into southern Vermont with damaging gusts and perhaps a tornado or two the primary threats.," the NWS said. "Large to very large hail is possible with stronger storms over the northern half of Arkansas."

Scattered severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon over New York into southern Vermont with damaging gusts and perhaps a tornado or two the primary threats. Large to very large hail is possible with stronger storms over the northern half of Arkansas. Visit… pic.twitter.com/HI6vRG0qOP

— National Weather Service (@NWS) April 16, 2026

Earlier today, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning was also put in place in central Wright County and northwestern Texas County in Missouri until 11:45 a.m. local time.

"Prepare immediately for large hail and deadly cloud to ground lightning. Seek shelter inside a well-built structure. Stay away from windows," the warning read.

More storms building for the weekend

Already this week we've seen widespread storms, including some tornadoes, across the country. Another round of bad weather is brewing, according to Fox Weather, with "millions" in the line of fire.

"The next storm system could deliver strong tornadoes and "monster" hail to more than 50 million people in the Midwest and the Plains beginning Friday afternoon," Fox Weather wrote, referencing Texas up to Wisconsin as the territory under threat.

"A dip in the jet stream — which acts as an atmospheric conveyor belt for storms — is ushering in an area of low pressure out of the Northwest that will ignite into severe thunderstorms beginning Friday afternoon. These storms will fire up over the middle of the country along the boundary between dry air in the west and moist air from the Gulf that's heating up the eastern U.S."