A sprawling storm system crossing the U.S. overturns semitrucks on highways and fans wildfires in Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas. Tornadoes might hit the South.

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 National Weather Service continues to update its forecast for Friday night's severe weather in the Tri-State. The risk of tornadoes has increased.

Say those who have been there, all available evidence suggests that whoever was behind the wave of cuts at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service has never worked in a forecast office during a severe-thunderstorm or tornado outbreak.

The National Weather Service issued a severe weather warning in Illinois, warning of possible cyclones, tornados and fires. Here's the forecast.