Easter weekend weather: Severe storms and winter systems threaten plans across the United States

Severe storms and late-season winter weather are poised to disrupt Easter weekend plans across the United States, with forecasters warning that Saturday(April 4) could bring the most widespread impacts, including damaging winds, hail, and heavy snow across multiple regions.

According to USA Today website, potential thunderstorms threaten more than 45 million people across the Midwest and Ohio Valley, including many preparing for Easter egg hunts.

Large hail, damaging winds and isolated tornadoes are expected as severe storms develop across the Southern Plains and Midwest, with the highest risk by evening in parts of Missouri, Iowa and Illinois.


As thunderstorms push into the Ohio Valley on Saturday, the peak Easter egg hunt day, the highest threat of strong winds and hail is expected across Ohio, Kentucky and nearby states.

Calmer weather is expected on Sunday, Easter Day, with only a marginal severe storm risk along parts of the East Coast, including eastern North Carolina, southeast Virginia and southern Maryland, leaving most of the country clear for outdoor celebrations.

"A marginal wind-damage threat is expected to develop on Sunday from eastern North Carolina into far southeast Virginia and far southern Maryland," the Storm Prediction Center wrote according to USA Today website.

According to USA Today website, late-season storms are set to bring snow, sleet and ice to the northern US, as a second system moves in from the Rockies with added Gulf and Pacific moisture, according to the Weather Prediction Center.

Snowfall rates could reach 1 inch per hour across the Dakotas and northern Minnesota, with totals over a foot, while ice and sleet are expected in parts of Wisconsin and Michigan.

"Bands of heavier snow are expected to begin shifting into northern Minnesota by this evening and then continue into Saturday before winding down late in the day as the low begins to track east of the Great Lakes," the Weather Prediction Center wrote.