Severe Storms Will Menace the Central and Eastern U.S. Through Easter

It is going to be a potentially rocky weekend of weather over the Easter holiday for a large swath of the central and eastern U.S. An elevated threat of nocturnal tornadoes overnight Friday will transition to heavy rain as a storm system rumbles to the east. Read on for the details of the volatile forecast.

Renewed Threat of Severe Weather Heading Into the Holiday Weekend

Outdoor church services and Easter egg hunts could be put in flux this weekend as a major storm event moves from the central U.S. to the East Coast in the days ahead. A renewed risk of severe weather comes after the Midwest dodged powerful winds, large hail, and tornadoes throughout the afternoon and evening on Thursday. A new storm is coming in right behind the departure of this event, elevating the risk of severe impacts for millions through the weekend.

Friday dawned on a quiet note for most of the country. However, forecasters are warning that a new multi-day severe weather event will ignite by the late afternoon hours. The chance of nocturnal tornadoes on Friday night will keep residents on guard throughout the Plains and the Midwest.

The greatest concentration of storm activity is expected in a zone from central Oklahoma and up into southern Iowa and the western edge of Illinois. Residents in these areas will want to enable their smartphone weather notifications before going to bed. Nocturnal tornadoes are inherently more dangerous simply because people are often sleeping and unaware when they strike. It is also more challenging for radar to pick up storms under the cover of darkness.

Cities in the line of fire for Friday's activity include Dallas, Oklahoma City, Kansas City, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. In addition to the threat of tornadoes, these metro areas may also see damaging winds, large hail, and flash flooding.