Three distinct severe weather setups are in play across the United States today, Wednesday June 24, 2026, with the highest concern centered over southeast Wyoming, northeast Colorado and western Nebraska where supercells capable of producing giant hail and tornadoes are expected to develop this afternoon.
Zone One: Enhanced Risk Across SE Wyoming, NE Colorado and W Nebraska
The primary severe weather risk today sits within an Enhanced Risk Level 3 of 5 across southeast Wyoming, northeast Colorado and western Nebraska. Initial supercells are expected to develop and move southeastward through the afternoon, carrying a risk for:
- Large to giant hail
- Damaging winds
- A couple of tornadoes
Forecasters note that these supercells will pose all hazards before upscale growth into line segments occurs this evening, meaning the discrete and most tornado-capable storm mode is expected during the afternoon hours before storms eventually merge into a broader line.
Communities in or near this corridor including Denver, Casper, Rapid City and surrounding areas should be weather aware through the afternoon and early evening hours.
Zone Two: Slight Risk Across Wisconsin and Northern Illinois
A Slight Risk Level 2 of 5 has been added across Wisconsin and northern Illinois ahead of a weak cold front moving through the region. A mix of multicells and a few supercells is expected this afternoon, with the primary threats being:
- Large hail
- Damaging winds
- A low but nonzero tornado risk that cannot be completely ruled out
This zone covers communities near Chicago, Appleton, Davenport and Des Moines, where storms are expected to fire ahead of the approaching cold front through the afternoon hours.
Zone Three: Slight Risk Across Utah Including Salt Lake City
A separate Slight Risk has been issued across Utah, specifically including Salt Lake City, where storms developing within a deeply mixed low-level air mass this afternoon are expected to produce a risk primarily for damaging wind gusts. The deeply mixed environment will allow strong winds from higher levels of the atmosphere to reach the surface within storm cells, making damaging winds the headline threat for this western zone today.
The Full Severe Weather Picture for June 24
Today’s outlook covers three geographically separate risk areas:
- SE Wyoming, NE Colorado, W Nebraska: Enhanced Risk Level 3, giant hail and tornadoes possible this afternoon
- Wisconsin and Northern Illinois: Slight Risk Level 2, large hail and damaging winds with a low tornado risk
- Utah including Salt Lake City: Slight Risk Level 2, damaging wind gusts the primary concern
Residents across all three zones should keep weather alerts active throughout the afternoon and evening and monitor updates at the NOAA Storm Prediction Center…