Meteorologists from AccuWeather and the National Weather Service are cautioning that the ongoing shift from La Niña to El Niño is transforming the severe weather landscape for the 2026 season in perilous ways across all US states. Although tornado occurrences might be slightly below the norm, experts indicate that flash floods and destructive wind gusts are becoming much more prevalent and widespread. An AccuWeather meteorologist cautioned that a single storm impacting a densely populated area could lead to this season being the most catastrophic on record. The regions facing the highest risk of hail extend from Texas to Alabama and from Iowa through northeastern Kansas.
