Storms, heat likely to impact Memorial Day weekend: What to know

(NEXSTAR) — It’s been an active stretch of severe weather for parts of the U.S., and it’s likely the trend will continue into Memorial Day weekend. Outside the severe weather threat, many are on track to have a seasonably warm unofficial start to summer. 

Earlier this week, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa were pummeled with storms, with the latter receiving the brunt of it. On Wednesday, severe weather was forecasted across a large swath of the U.S., from Texas to New York. Storms were causing widespread flight interruptions in both states as of Thursday. 

The National Weather Service is forecasting severe weather risks for parts of the Midwest and South into Friday as well. Unfortunately, as many look to travel for the Memorial Day weekend, they could still be dealing with severe weather.

“The very active spring severe weather season will definitely continue across several areas over Memorial Day weekend,” says Nexstar meteorologist Brian James.

On Saturday, James says severe storms are likely across the Southern Plains. 

“There will be a threat for very large hail and strong, long-track tornadoes across parts of Oklahoma and Kansas Saturday afternoon and evening,” he explains. “Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Wichita are a few larger cities that will be under the gun on Saturday.” 

Sunday, that threat is expected to move east. According to James, “the area of greatest threat across the central Mississippi River Valley and Ohio River Valley.” That includes Nashville, St. Louis, and Louisville, Kentucky, which could see “big hail and tornadoes” on Sunday.

“Unfortunately, the threat for severe storms, including additional tornadoes, will continue after the sun goes down,” James adds. “Sunday night through Memorial Day Monday, severe storms will be possible across New England down to Washington DC.”

Many parts of the U.S. are also on track to see seasonably warm temperatures early on in the weekend, according to James. It’s short-lived for some, though, as a push of cool air will move across the northern part of the country as storms move farther east, he adds.

Slideshow: Memorial Day weekend forecasts

The extreme heat impacting parts of the South also doesn’t appear to be letting up soon. Meteorologists say the conditions have been caused by what some refer to as a heat dome — an area of strong high pressure centered over the southern Gulf of Mexico and northern Central America that blocked clouds from forming and caused extensive sunshine and hot temperatures.

“Down south, it’s going to be a hot holiday weekend with highs in the 90s to around 100 in West Texas back to the Desert Southwest,” James says.

While it may feel like the start of summer for some, we’re still technically in spring until the solstice on June 20.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.