This is NBC Nightly News with Jose Diaz-Bellard.

Good evening Memorial Day weekend is getting off to an historic start.

The TSA says it screened nearly 3 million people yesterday.

That's a record.

And on the roads, AAA says 38 million people

are set to drive during this three day weekend.

But the real curveball, for half the country, it's the weather.

22 million people are under threat of strong tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail across the heart of the country. But that number will double tomorrow.

And as we come on the air, more than 4 million people are under tornado alerts from Texas to Kansas

that could bring 80 mile per hour winds, even DVD sized hail.

Our Priscilla Thompson starts us off in Oklahoma City, which could be in for a rough night.

The Great American Getaway is in full swing tonight and shattering records. I think it's pretty packed for 5 a.m.

TSA reporting its highest number of passengers ever screened in a single day Friday

almost 3 million across the US and it's not just the skies that are jam-packed.

Traffic has been really bad, it's backed up, and it's taking us a long time to get there.

According to AAA, more than 38 million are expected behind the wheel this holiday weekend.

It's been really bad, honestly.

Three cars on fire in here.

This fiery crash inside a Boston tunnel sent drivers running out on foot, backing up traffic

Friday just as some vacationers were leaving

town and the hottest destination for the 44 million traveling beaches.

It's so nice to feel the sun on your skin.

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