Midwest and Central Plains Face Severe Weather Potential Including Minneapolis, Des Moines, Chicago, St. Louis and Tulsa Friday May 15 Through Saturday May 16
DES MOINES, Iowa — A developing storm system is being monitored for significant severe weather potential across the Midwest and Central Plains this Friday, May 15 through Saturday, May 16, 2026, with a broad zone of threat stretching from Minneapolis south through Des Moines, Chicago, St. Louis and down to Tulsa.
Forecasters updated this outlook on Sunday, May 10 and are flagging this system as the next major severe weather event to watch heading into the upcoming weekend.
Where the Threat Is Focused
The severe weather potential zone for Friday, May 15 through Saturday, May 16 covers a large swath of the Midwest and Central Plains:
- Minneapolis, Minnesota sits near the northern edge of the outlook zone and will be watching this system closely as it develops Friday.
- Des Moines, Iowa and Chicago, Illinois fall within the heart of the highlighted severe potential area for both Friday and Saturday.
- St. Louis, Missouri and Tulsa, Oklahoma are included in the southern portion of the threat zone, where storms could fire ahead of the approaching low pressure system.
What Is Driving This System
A low pressure system tracking into the region from the west is the primary driver of severe weather potential for Friday, May 15 through Saturday, May 16. A cold front trailing south from this low will be the focus for storm development across the Midwest and Central Plains.
This type of setup can produce a wide range of severe weather threats including damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes depending on how the system evolves through the week.
What to Do Before Friday
Residents across Minneapolis, Des Moines, Chicago, St. Louis and Tulsa have several days to prepare before this system arrives:
- Monitor daily forecast updates through the week as confidence in storm timing, location and intensity will increase significantly by Wednesday and Thursday.
- Ensure your weather alert apps are active and notifications are turned on so you receive any watches or warnings the moment they are issued Friday, May 15.
- Have a shelter plan ready at home, at work and for any outdoor activities planned for the Friday May 15 through Saturday May 16 weekend period.
WaldronNews.com will continue tracking this severe weather potential across the Midwest and Central Plains including Minneapolis, Des Moines, Chicago, St. Louis and Tulsa and will provide updates as storm timing, threats and intensity develop ahead of Friday, May 15.