Thunderstorms are expected to develop over far southwest and southern Iowa around 3-4 p.m., and then race to the north and northeast through the late afternoon and evening hours. The storms should reach Des Moines and central Iowa between 4-6 p.

National Weather Service meteorologists are warning of a severe storm expected to hit several states on Friday night.

Tornadoes may hit the Mississippi Valley on Friday, as well as blizzards in the northern Plains and gusty conditions in Texas that pose a high risk of wildfires.

A cross-country storm is strengthening as it moves over the central United States Friday and pounding the region with damaging hurricane-force wind gusts that are creating a blinding dust storm and fanning flames amid a “catastrophic” fire risk.

The setup Friday through the weekend is a dangerous one in parts of the South, Midwest and East. Some tornadoes could be strong and widespread damaging winds are also a major threat.