US Midwest Hit by Tornadoes, Hail and EF3 Twister

Context Spring is the peak season for severe thunderstorms across the central United States. A favorable jet‑stream pattern created strong instability from Monday through Wednesday, fueling repeated rounds of damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes.

Key Facts On Monday, eight tornadoes were reported across the central US, including an EF2 that struck Sycamore, Kansas. The Enhanced Fujita scale rates tornadoes from EF0 to EF5 based on damage surveys; an EF2 indicates wind speeds of about 110‑135 mph.

Tuesday brought a widespread hailstorm to Springfield, Missouri. Radar and ground observers measured hailstones up to 12 cm (5 in) in diameter, which cracked or shattered vehicle windshields and caused extensive property loss.

Wednesday’s strongest tornado hit Mineral Wells, Texas. Damage assessments placed it at EF3, with estimated wind speeds reaching 145 mph (233 km/h). The storm injured five people, damaged or destroyed homes and businesses, and prompted the mayor to declare a local disaster.

What It Means The combined events produced significant economic and human costs, though exact figures are still being tallied. Emergency crews are conducting damage surveys to refine wind‑speed estimates and hail‑size measurements using Doppler radar data and on‑site inspections.

Forecasters expect a quieter period of severe weather over the next week as the jet stream shifts northward, but they will monitor for any renewed instability that could trigger additional storms.