Millions across the central and eastern United States are bracing for several days of severe weather, including heavy rain and potential flooding. The pattern marks the beginning of the spring severe weather season.

Widespread Severe Weather Threat

More than 52 million people are under a severe weather threat across parts of the Plains, Midwest, Ohio Valley, and the Mid-Atlantic as of Wednesday. Warm temperatures are contributing to the enhanced severe weather conditions across the Central US and fueling storms in the Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic regions.

Storm Development and Hazards

A cold front is expected to move through and stall over the Plains on Wednesday, triggering severe storms along a dryline – the boundary between dry and moist air – stretching across southern and central Kansas, western Oklahoma, and the Red River Valley in North Texas. These storms are forecast to produce large, egg-sized hail.

A broader Level 2 threat extends from northern Missouri, southeast across the Southern Plains to San Angelo, Texas, and the US-Mexico border. The FOX Forecast Center warns that significant moisture in the atmosphere will lead to days of potential flash flooding.

Flash Flood Risk and Regional Impacts

The greatest risk of flash flooding is currently across parts of eastern Kansas, western Missouri, and northern Oklahoma on Wednesday. This system will move into the Midwest on Thursday, with thunderstorms expected to redevelop over Chicago.

By Friday, another severe weather system will move into the Plains and Midwest. A Level 3 threat covers parts of Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, and northern Oklahoma, potentially bringing damaging wind gusts, hail, and even a few tornadoes. Over half a foot of rain could fall in parts of the Plains and Mississippi Valley by the end of the week.

Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic Conditions

In the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic, storms will continue to develop along a warm front, creating a track for repeated storm development over the next few days. The primary concerns in these areas are large hail, damaging wind gusts, and heavy rainfall. Thunderstorms are expected to linger over Pennsylvania throughout Wednesday.

The FOX Forecast Center indicates the highest potential for stronger storms on Wednesday will be along a corridor from West Virginia into northern Virginia and parts of Maryland. This pattern change signals the start of the spring severe weather season in the Southern Plains, which typically experiences the second-most tornadoes in April, following May.