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, creating a blinding dust storm and fanning flames amid a “catastrophic” fire risk.

Severe storms are on the way this weekend and have the potential for unleashing powerful tornadoes and destructive hail across the South. A "squall line of storms" will begin to develop Friday afternoon in the central U.

Damaging straight line winds, large hail and a few tornadoes will all be threats," the National Weather Service said.