Severe storms target Heartland to close out active March, with stormy April pattern to follow
From dozens of tornadoes to flash flooding, large hail and damaging winds, many areas are still recovering and remain on high alert as March is set to end just as actively as it began, with more severe storms expected across the Northern Tier Monday through at least Wednesday.
More severe storms target Great Lakes with large hail, heavy rain and possible tornadoes
March is going out like a
March isn’t finished yet—more severe storms and flash flooding will close out the month in already hard-hit areas, with another stormy pattern set to take hold as April begins.
From Texas to the Midwest, this month has been marked by severe storms leaving damage across several communities.
From dozens of tornadoes to flash flooding, large hail, and damaging winds, many areas are still recovering and remain on high alert as March is set to end just as actively as it began, with more severe storms expected across the Northern Tier Monday through at least Wednesday.
And with April just around the corner, only brief breaks are expected before a new, active pattern brings stormy conditions to parts of the Plains and South by next weekend.
As the week begins, an area of low pressure will move through parts of the Northern Plains, sparking a threat of severe storms along and near a warm front in the Great Lakes on Monday.
The FOX Forecast Center said hail will be the primary threat, though an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out despite a lower overall tornado risk.
Severe storms blasted Bryan, Ohio, with large hail Thursday. (Laura Robinson/Facebook / FOX Weather)
As the front lifts northward, a few supercell storms could also develop nearby.
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Cities from Milwaukee to Green Bay should be on alert for severe storms on Monday night.
By Tuesday into Wednesday, this system shifts into the Northeast, drawing in warmer, more humid air.
As that airmass moves in, rain and thunderstorms will become more widespread, increasing the risk for flash flooding, with the greatest concern near the eastern Great Lakes, where a deep snowpack remains.
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Areas from Buffalo to Watertown face the highest flooding risk, as 1 to 2 inches of rainfall could accelerate snowmelt.
Periods of rain are likely to linger across the Northeast through at least midweek, the FOX Forecast Center said.
Active start to April
Heading into April, a trailing cold front is expected to stall across the Ohio Valley, and this boundary will act as a focus for multiple waves of energy, raising the potential for repeated rounds of rain and an increasing flood threat across parts of the South as the week progresses.
Rainfall totals could exceed 3 to 5 inches in some locations, with higher localized amounts possible.
April is typically one of the most active months for severe storms across parts of the Plains and the South.
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The larger-scale pattern is expected to evolve into a classic spring setup, with a trough forming over the West and a ridge building in the East.
And that type of pattern tends to favor repeated storm systems moving through the Plains.
By Easter weekend and beyond, the pattern is likely to shift further.
The jet stream is expected to dip farther south across the Plains, allowing storms to intensify and track through traditional severe weather regions such as Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana.
With summer-like warmth, increasing moisture and potent disturbances in place, the potential for severe storms will rise.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, the exact storm tracks and impacts remain uncertain, and forecasts are still being refined.
Currently, there are no organized severe storm outlooks through the beginning of next week, though that is likely to change as forecasts become more precise.
Overall, this shift marks the beginning of a more active and typical spring severe weather season across the Plains.