Active Weather
The Heartland sits under the influence of the same broad trough pattern affecting much of the central United States. Stronger instability is forecast over the southern and central Plains today, where dewpoints in the 60s to lower 70s°F provide fuel for thunderstorms. However, wind shear — the ingredient that organizes storms into severe-weather producers — is quite weak, which limits the overall severe threat.
Expect scattered showers and thunderstorms across Kansas, Missouri, and parts of southern Nebraska and Iowa today, with the highest coverage in the afternoon and evening. The risk of severe weather is marginal — meaning isolated strong storms are possible but not expected to be widespread or long-lived. Heavy rainfall capable of localized ponding or flash flooding in low-lying areas is the more likely impact.
Northern Nebraska and Iowa will be on the drier, more comfortable side of the pattern, with partly cloudy skies and highs in the mid-70s.
Infrastructure
No active disaster declarations, wildfire incidents, or major infrastructure disruptions across the four Heartland states. Power grids are operating normally. No major river flooding is reported.
Nationally, the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) reports the country is at National Preparedness Level 2 (on a scale of 1 to 5), with 15 to 19 uncontained large fires burning across the country. Approximately 2.4 million acres have burned year-to-date, which is above the 10-year average. None of those fires are in the Heartland region.
Public Health
No active public health advisories for the Heartland. Air quality is within normal ranges across all four states.
At the national level, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has two active Health Advisory notices. The first, issued May 19, concerns an Ebola disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda caused by the Bundibugyo virus. The World Health Organization declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 17. The risk of spread to U.S. households is considered low. The second, updated May 18, monitors an Andes virus (hantavirus) cluster linked to a cruise ship in the Atlantic. No confirmed U.S. cases have been reported, and the domestic risk remains extremely low. Neither advisory requires household action beyond general awareness.
Watch Item
The Day 4 to 8 SPC outlook notes that an upper low moving from Utah into Wyoming this weekend will keep the pattern active, with isolated strong storms possible over parts of the northern Plains on Saturday. Shear will remain marginal, so the severe potential is low, but this is tornado season in the Heartland and the 2026 season has already been well above average for the region.
The tornado outbreak sequence of April 23 to 28 produced 89 tornadoes across the western and central United States, including an EF-4 tornado near Enid, Oklahoma. While that event centered south of the Heartland, the pattern that drove it has continued to produce active weather across the region.
If you haven't practiced your tornado safety plan this spring, this is a good week to do it. Know where your safe room is. Have shoes, a flashlight, and a weather radio within reach of that spot.
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