If you ever needed more proof that nature is determined to destroy everything you know and love, consider that a small cluster of thunderstorms that formed in Minnesota on Sunday night grew into a powerful derecho that lasted for 30 hours, traveling nearly 1,200 miles before croaking in North Carolina.

Round two of a three-day severe weather outbreak across the eastern half of the United States is getting ready to unfold across the Midwest this evening and tonight. The atmosphere is getting antsy, and it looks primed to produce more destructive straight-line winds and maybe even a strong tornado or two. The storms also have the potential to develop into another derecho, much like the one we saw today.

A classic summertime severe weather outbreak is likely to unfold over the next few days across the eastern half of the U.S., with each day seeing the potential for extensive straight-line wind damage, large hail, and some tornadoes. The storms could organize into a much-hyped feature known as a “derecho.”

Parts of the Midwestern United States could see some powerful thunderstorms today, some of which could be extremely strong, producing winds in excess of 75 MPH. Due to the heightened threat, parts of Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, and Kansas are under a moderate (4 out of 5) risk for severe weather.

A destructive line of thunderstorms is sweeping through the mid-South this afternoon, bringing with it incredibly strong straight-line winds in excess of 80 MPH. The system will come dangerously close to Memphis by 2:00PM CDT, and will enter northern Mississippi and Alabama over the next few hours.