A dangerous, multiday severe weather outbreak is poised to bring tornadoes, flash flooding, and damaging winds across the Midwest, the South, and the East Coast, with the worst of the weather hitting the South on Saturday, March 15, 2025. This marks the first outbreak of such magnitude this year and is only the third occasion when the National Weather Service has issued a high-risk warning one day in advance.
The severe weather began with thunderstorms sweeping through the Midwest on Friday evening, March 14, where residents from Davenport, Iowa, to Peoria, Illinois, and from St. Louis to Memphis, Tennessee, faced intense winds and the threat of strong tornadoes. Destructive winds from these storms could reach up to 90 mph, with hail potentially the size of baseballs.
On Saturday, the highest threat for tornadoes will shift south, concentrating on eastern Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the western Florida Panhandle. Notably, the National Weather Service has raised the threat level, issuing the highest risk level for severe weather and tornadoes, from Jackson, Mississippi, to Birmingham, Alabama, where Alabama's Governor Kay Ivey has declared a state of emergency.
Individuals residing in these areas should prepare for numerous significant tornadoes, some of which could be long-track and potentially violent. The most significant tornado threats are anticipated to start late Saturday morning and continue through to the early afternoon as the threat expands eastward, eventually reaching Alabama and creeping toward Florida and Georgia by late Saturday night.
The projected severe weather does not stop there. On Sunday, March 16, 2025, storms are expected to weaken but will still menace the East Coast from Florida to Pennsylvania, with attention focusing on the Carolinas and Georgia where tornado threats linger. Damaging winds are projected to reach the Northeast by Sunday evening and persist through early Monday morning.
The 'high risk' designation is not something to take lightly. This classification is rare and is only issued when conditions align perfectly to predict widespread, extreme events, where tornado outbreaks and catastrophic damage often follow. Past instances similar to this have led to devastating outcomes, and forecasters predict long-track tornadoes, potentially reaching EF3-EF5 intensity are possible, with some capable of carving mile-wide paths.
Rain, hail, and extreme gusts are forecasted to follow suit. Hailstones could reach sizes of up to 70 miles per hour, easily damaging properties and posing risks to livestock. Wind speeds are anticipated to exceed 75 mph, bringing down power lines and trees, resulting in widespread blackouts throughout the affected areas.
The severe thunderstorms will blanket large swaths of territory, extending as far north as Nashville, Tennessee, and Atlanta, Georgia. It is imperative for residents to remain vigilant and heed emergency alerts.
Officials stress the importance of having multiple means of receiving weather alerts. Suggested preparations include establishing shelters, stocking up on emergency supplies such as water and flashlights, and making contingency plans to evacuate if necessary.
Authorities recommend monitoring local news channels, obtaining NOAA weather radios, and downloading weather applications to stay up to date. Areas experiencing heavy rainfall and thunderstorms could be susceptible to flash flooding; hence, residents should avoid driving through inundated regions and look for alternative routes.
Governor Kay Ivey stated, "This weather system is significant, and my prayer is for the safety of our citizens as we endure this potential storm." Safety officials have opened emergency shelters across several counties, ready to assist those seeking refuge from hazardous conditions.
This storm could have historic repercussions, drawing comparisons to previous disastrous tornado outbreaks. On March 31, 2023, another high-risk warning led to destructive storms capable of collapsing buildings and devastating communities across multiple states.
On Sunday afternoon, March 16, following the severe weather threat, forecasts predict calmer and milder conditions returning across the Eastern states. Residents are advised to remain weather-aware during this period - particularly Saturday night and early Sunday morning - when the storm system sweeps through populated areas, posing considerable risk.
Authorities warn, "Don’t underestimate this storm. Preparation is key, and the time to act is now. This is not the typical storm we see at this time of year; be ready to respond and stay alert for updates."