Severe weather risk to accompany next warmup in Midwest
Sharply colder air that settled in to close out the past week in the Midwest and Northeast will give way to warmer days this week, but the return of warmth is likely to spark severe weather.
After a cold weekend, heat and severe weather will return early next week to the Midwest. Bernie Rayno breaks down when and whether the severe weather will setup.
Spring in the Midwest and Northeast often brings sharp swings in temperatures and weather conditions. The pattern through this week will be a prime example, featuring roller coaster temperatures with sunny days interspersed with rain or storms.
While the cold air shock passed in the Midwest and Northeast Saturday, it just settled into parts of the Southeast through the day, where temperatures were 15-30 degrees lower than Friday.
As high pressure settles over the Southeast, a southwest breeze will push warmer air from the Plains into the Midwest and Northeast Monday.
Temperatures in St. Louis jumped nearly 15 degrees from Saturday to Sunday, reaching the lower 70s, then climbed well into the 80s Monday, nearing 90 degrees Fahrenheit Tuesday.
A similar warming trend is expected in Chicago, Pittsburgh, Detroit, New York City and Boston. In Washington, D.C., where cherry blossoms are at their peak early this week, the high was only 51 degrees on Saturday, but trended up to the mid-60s on Sunday, and will reach near 70 on Monday and into the 80s on Tuesday.
Severe storms to focus on Midwest
As the warmth peaks from Monday to Tuesday, thunderstorms are expected to develop, with some turning severe across parts of the Midwest.
Sporadic severe thunderstorms are forecast Monday night from eastern Iowa to eastern Michigan.
The main threats will be damaging hail and wind gusts. The AccuWeather Local StormMax™ is 75 mph.
On Tuesday, the severe weather threat is likely to expand across the Midwest and even through the Plains, though the intensity and coverage will depend on the speed and track of a storm approaching from the west.
AccuWeather meteorologists have outlined a zone from central Oklahoma and eastern Kansas to western Pennsylvania and New York as being at risk for severe thunderstorms. The stronger storms could produce damaging winds, hail and a few tornadoes.
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Easter weekend could be wet for many
Later this week and through the Easter weekend, rounds of drenching rain and gusty thunderstorms may stretch from Texas to New England.
From southwestern Missouri to northwestern Indiana, numerous rounds of heavy rain can fall through Easter weekend, raising the risk for flooding in this corridor.
Those with travel and outdoor plans for Easter weekend will need to be prepared for possible impacts due to heavy rain and thunderstorms.
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