Severe weather, including tornado threat, expected to impact the Heartland

Severe weather is expected to impact the Heartland Friday and through the weekend, including a threat of tornadoes.

From Iowa to Texas, severe weather is expected Friday afternoon and evening, with the strongest tornado threat around Des Moines, Iowa; Omaha, Nebraska; and Kansas City, Missouri.

The rest of the Plains – including Tulsa, Oklahoma; Little Rock, Arkansas; and Dallas – could experience damaging winds, large hail and an isolated tornado.

A tornado watch is in effect for northeast Texas – including Dallas – and parts of southeast Oklahoma until 6 p.m. CT. Friday.

A probable tornado struck east of Oklahoma City in Pottawatomie County Friday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

On Saturday, some of these severe storms could extend as far north as Chicago; Milwaukee; Green Bay, Wisconsin; and Traverse City, Michigan. These areas will experience mainly damaging winds and some hail.

Severe thunderstorms could also produce very heavy rain causing flash flooding, with the flash flood threat highest in Oklahoma, including Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

The highest tornado threat Saturday will be in Kansas City, Missouri; Wichita, Kansas; Oklahoma City; and northwest of Fort Worth, Texas.

The tornado threat will diminish but not dissipate on Sunday. Severe weather with damaging winds, hail and an isolated tornado is possible in Kansas City, St. Louis, Little Rock, Dallas and Tulsa.

The flash flood threat will also move into Arkansas, including Little Rock, on Sunday.

The current tornado threat comes after four landspouts and tornadoes were reported Thursday in four states: Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming and Utah, mostly in rural areas. Parts of Kansas also saw hail larger than a baseball and winds gusting up to 70 mph.

Meanwhile, a classic spring boost is expected this weekend in the Midwest and Northeast, as temperatures are expected to rise from freezing to summer-like 80s.

Eleven states were under frost and freeze alerts Friday morning, from Michigan to Maryland, with many areas falling to or below freezing.

A major warm-up is expected Saturday through Monday, with temperatures climbing into the 80s from Chicago to New York.

Chicago is expected to reach 80 degrees on Saturday, while New York could reach 80 degrees on Monday. In Washington, D.C., temps could approach 90.