A powerful storm system roared across the Midwest and South Friday night, unleashing a series of tornadoes that carved paths of destruction and left at least three dead in Missouri.

The threat of tornadoes is moving east into the Mississippi Valley and Deep South a day after a massive storm system moving across the country unleashed winds that damaged buildings, whipped up dust storms that caused deadly crashes and fanned more than 100 wildfires in several central states.

A sprawling storm system crossing the U.S. has caused deadly crashes, damaged buildings and fanned more than 100 wildfires in several central states, prompting evacuation orders in some communities. N

High winds are whipping up wildfires in Texas on Friday as a roiling low pressure system moves east and threatens to land powerful tornadoes in the Plains and beyond.

Severe weather season usually begins to ramp up in March and lasts through the start of summer. The dramatic increase in sun angle during the month can spark wide variations in our large-scale weather patterns as pockets of cold, dry air descend south from Canada while warm, moist air surges north from the Gulf.

Three waves of severe weather are expected in Mississippi this week and strong tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds are possible.