Violent Storms to Ruin Weekend Plans on the Plains

The threat for damaging thunderstorms on Sunday also extends northward from Missouri to southern Wisconsin.

"On top of interrupting any outdoor activities, the thunderstorms could cause trouble for travelers both on the ground and in the air."

Violent thunderstorms will target anywhere from the Mississippi and Ohio valleys to central Texas today and tonight.

Areas across central Arkansas, northern Mississippi and western Tennessee will experience strong thunderstorms to start the day.

Large hail and damaging wind gusts will be the main threats from the strongest thunderstorms. Torrential downpours could trigger flash flooding problems as well.

An isolated tornado cannot be ruled out from the strongest of storms.

Cities under the gun include St. Louis, Springfield, , Chicago, Dallas and Abilene.

The majority of today's strongest thunderstorms will wait until the afternoon to ignite.

On top of interrupting outdoor activities, any of the thunderstorms could also cause difficultiesand delays for travelers both on the ground and in the air.

AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski contributed to the content of this story.