Major severe weather and fire weather concerns next 48 hours

Apr 25, 2026

Before I get into the very busy weather situation, I wanted to briefly talk about a major federal science news story that broke earlier today. Multiple media outlets report that President Trump fired the entire 24 member National Science Board (NSB), the entity that oversees and sets policy for the National Science Foundation (NSF). Per Science magazine:

The NSB is a unique entity within the U.S. government. In addition to advising the administration and Congress on national science policy, it has statutory authority to oversee the actions of the $9-billion NSF, setting policy and approving large expenditures. Its presidentially appointed members, typically prominent academics and industry leaders, serve 6-year terms, with eight members chosen every 2 years.

Members of the NSB have been vocal in opposing the Trump Administration’s proposed massive cuts to NSF, and the Science report notes concerns that the elimination of the board is further effort to reduce or eliminate any independence of NSF. While Congress rejected the overwhelming bulk of the budget cuts that the administration sought to NSF this year, the agency has come under scrutiny for a major reduction in its grant awards so far in 2026, raising concerns that the administration may be attempting to reduce NSF spending through budget execution. NSF is of particular concern to the atmospheric science community given the agency’s announced plans to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research.

The future of the NSB is now uncertain, i.e., it is unclear as to whether the administration will seek to appoint its own members or simply leave the board disbanded. House Science Committee ranking member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) released a statement outlining her strong opposition to the administration’s action, saying in part:

It unfortunately is no surprise a president who has attacked NSF from day one would seek to destroy the board that helps guide the Foundation. Will the president fill the NSB with MAGA loyalists who won’t stand up to him as he hands over our leadership in science to our adversaries? A real bozo the clown move.

Obviously, there will be more to come on this story in the coming days.

Severe weather is ongoing this evening across parts of the south central United States, with particularly intense supercell severe storms occurring across north Texas this evening.

As of 10 pm CT a potentially destructive supercell was approaching the Fort Worth area from the northwest. Radar was showing the potential for damaging straight line winds in excess of 80 mph and very large hail, along with strong low level rotation indicative of tornadic potential. A measured wind gust of 89 mph was reported by NWS Fort Worth from a HAM radio spotter near Springtown shortly before 10 pm.

Severe weather risks will continue overnight across north Texas and into the Arklatex region. These storms are also rather slow moving, and as a result the risk of flash flooding is also elevated, particularly in urban areas.

The threat of severe weather is expected to shift a bit to the north on Sunday as a strong upper level disturbance begins to shift northeast into the central US. An enhanced (level 3 of 5) risk of significant severe storms with potential very large hail, strong tornadoes and damaging winds is in place.

As that upper level disturbance swings east-northeast into the Midwest, the severe weather risk looks to peak on Monday with the potential for a serious outbreak of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. Areas of the Mid-Mississippi Valley look most at risk for intense supercell storms capable of very large hail, significant tornadoes and damaging wind gusts.

Unfortunately, severe weather is not the only serious meteorological concern in the next 36 hours. Strong westerly winds will develop Sunday afternoon in the extremely dry air to the south of the upper level disturbance, resulting in a widespread area of very critical fire danger. The Storm Prediction Center has upgraded the area over eastern New Mexico and part of the western Texas Panhandle to an extreme (level 3 of 3), particularly dangerous fire weather risk for Sunday afternoon and evening.

I will be busy with one more day of volunteer work on Sunday — but expect to have time for more frequent updates about this evolving weather situation Sunday evening and into Monday.