Southern US battles ongoing severe weather, more than 1,000 tornadoes reported in 2024 - WGME

Southern US battles ongoing severe weather, more than 1,000 tornadoes reported in 2024

PORTLAND (WGME) -- Severe weather continues to affect the southern United States after a devastating week of severe storms.

Over 1 million people are without power after the weekend.

From May 20-27, the National Weather Service issued 3,184 advisories, watches and warnings due to severe weather.

Most severe weather occurred in the central and eastern United States, just east of Tornado Alley, which stretches from Texas to Iowa.

So far in 2024, more than 1,000 tornadoes have been reported, with close to 500 in May alone.

According to the Storm Prediction Center, this bumps 2024 up to second place for most tornadoes through this current point. In first place was 2011 with 1,238 tornadoes as of Monday.

Tuesday will bring more severe weather to areas already hit hard, such as Texas. They are under Levels 2 (yellow) and 3 (orange) for severe storms.

On Wednesday, the threat moves north to the Dakotas and Montana.

Those areas are under Level 2 (yellow).

By Thursday, severe weather will shift back south to Texas and will include Colorado, Kansas and Oklahoma with it.

Thankfully, the severe weather should stay to the west of Maine.