Severe Weather Returns: Northern Plains Become the Primary Target as June Begins

After one of the quietest weeks of the year, severe weather season is coming back to life.

The final week of May delivered very little organized severe weather across the United States. In fact, activity was so limited that national hail reports fell below seasonal averages for the first time this year. But that lull appears to be ending as we move into the first full week of June.

According to this week's Extreme Weather Insights forecast, conditions are becoming increasingly favorable for hail-producing thunderstorms and damaging wind events across the Northern Plains, with activity expected to remain elevated throughout much of the week.

A Quiet Week Comes to an End

Last week earned an Extreme Weather Insights score of just 1, reflecting one of the slowest periods of severe weather activity during what is typically the peak of storm season.

Only a handful of major hail reports were recorded nationwide, with most occurring in southwest Nebraska. While a few isolated severe storms developed, overall activity remained well below normal.

The lack of severe weather was enough to push national hail totals below average for the season, creating a noticeable deficit compared to historical trends.

Moisture Returns to the Plains

The pattern begins changing quickly this week.

A surge of Gulf moisture is moving northward into the central United States, creating an environment favorable for thunderstorm development across portions of Colorado, Nebraska, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, and the Dakotas.

As humidity levels rise and instability increases, multiple rounds of severe weather are expected to develop throughout the week.

Large Hail Becomes the Primary Threat

Unlike some recent severe weather outbreaks dominated by wind, this week's forecast is heavily focused on hail.

Monday's risk centers on northeast Colorado and southwest Nebraska, where storms could produce golf ball to baseball-size hail.

By Tuesday, the threat shifts north into eastern Montana and the western Dakotas. While population density is lower in these areas, atmospheric conditions appear favorable for very large hail development.

Wednesday continues the trend as severe weather spreads eastward across portions of the Northern Plains.

For contractors, restoration companies, and storm-focused sales teams, these are the areas most likely to experience meaningful hail impacts during the first half of the week.

Additional Opportunities Later in the Week

The severe weather pattern remains active as the week progresses.

Thursday introduces additional opportunities across Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, and portions of West Texas. By Friday and into the weekend, attention shifts back toward the Dakotas and Nebraska, where another round of severe storms is expected.

Damaging winds will accompany many of these systems, creating potential impacts beyond hail-related damage.

While this does not currently appear to be an historic outbreak pattern, the consistency of activity throughout the week makes it one of the more active stretches we've seen in several weeks.

Looking Ahead

The first week of June receives an Extreme Weather Insights score of 7, indicating above-average severe weather activity and a notable increase from recent weeks.

For roofing contractors, restoration companies, and storm response teams, the focus should remain on the Northern Plains, particularly areas along and north of Interstate 80, where the greatest concentration of severe weather is expected.

After a slow finish to May, storm season appears ready to resume.

And if current forecasts hold, the first week of June could provide some of the best hail opportunities we've seen in several weeks.