A powerful storm system is forecast to trigger severe thunderstorms Thursday in the Midwest. For several areas in the Ohio Valley, this will mark the first significant severe weather event with a tornado threat since last fall.
The strongest storms could produce the full spectrum of severe hazards: damaging wind gusts, large hail, isolated tornadoes and extremely heavy rainfall capable of causing flash flooding, according to AccuWeather. (RELATED: Wildfire Threat Increases In Plains Due To Strong Winds, Warm Temperatures; State Of Emergency Declared In Kansas)
In some parts of the Ohio Valley, Thursday could potentially deliver the region’s first thunderstorm of 2026. A weather system from Jan. 8-9 generated dozens of severe reports through the Mississippi Valley and western New York, but bypassed areas of the Midwest.
Snow and severe weather are both in the forecast for parts of the north-central U.S. ❄️⛈️ pic.twitter.com/M7vvsFu0LV
— AccuWeather (@accuweather) February 18, 2026
From Thursday into Thursday night, the core severe weather threat is forecast to stretch across the Mississippi River corridor, affecting Illinois, Missouri and Iowa before extending towards eastern Kentucky, southern Ohio and areas of West Virginia. The highest potential for the most intense storms appear centered near Louisville, Kentucky and around Indianapolis, Indiana.
Thunder and lightning is expected to push northeast Thursday night, reaching portions of southern Michigan, northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. (RELATED: 1,000-Mile-Long Winter Storm Could Potentially Bring Dangerous Snow, Ice To Northern Tier)
While moisture, warm air and atmospheric lift will still cause scattered thunderstorms Friday across the Southeast and mid-Atlantic, the majority of activity will likely stay under severe thresholds.