Where Severe Storms Could Put Plans On Hold

A storm system later this week will bring a threat of severe weather to parts of the South, snow from the Rockies and parts of the Plains to the Great Lakes and strong winds through the Midwest and East this weekend.

This scenario will come in two rounds through Sunday. Let's first lay out the timing of this, then we'll go into the details on where the threat of severe weather, heavy rain, snow and wind are in play.

Forecast Timing

Through Thursday: The storm system that will drive rain and snow over the next few days from coast-to-coast will come ashore in the Southwest, then quickly move northeastward across the Plains and Midwest.

Weather in your inbox

Forecast Location

Sign Up

By signing up you agree to the Terms & Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe at any time.

Rain will fall from the southern Rockies and much of the Plains, then spread as far north as the western Great Lakes by late in the day. Some thunderstorms may break out after midnight late Wednesday in parts of the Southern Plains from Oklahoma to northern Texas, then move eastward to the mid-Mississippi Valley.

Areas of snow will blanket parts of the Rockies and Mountain West. Rain could change to wet snow from parts of the Central Plains to Upper Michigan.

Friday: Snow may spread from the central and southern Rockies into parts of the Plains. Thunderstorms are expected to become more numerous in parts of the South, from eastern Texas to the Tennessee Valley. Some rain showers will spread as far north as upstate New York and New England.

Saturday: Snow is possible in parts of the western Great Lakes and upper Midwest, while more soaking rain spreads into the East as far north as parts of New England and upstate New York. Strong winds are possible in much of the Midwest and East. Thunderstorms will linger in parts of the Southeast and could develop as far north as the mid-Atlantic ahead of the cold front.

Sunday: Wind will likely be the biggest concern in the Midwest and East. Some showers may linger in eastern New England early in the morning. Wrap-around snow may linger from parts of the Great Lakes to the Appalachians, upstate New York and northern New England.

(MAPS: Daily US Forecast Rain, Snow Areas)

Potential Impacts

Severe Threat

For now, we expect the threat of strong thunderstorm winds, hail or tornadoes to be low on Thursday from North Texas and Oklahoma to the mid-Mississippi Valley.

The severe threat Friday in the lower Mississippi Valley is likely to be a step higher, in the area shown in the map below.

That more elevated threat could last into Friday night or early Saturday in other parts of the Deep South and Tennessee Valley.

(MORE: What You Should Know About Severe Weather)

Snow, Heavy Rain

Given the lack of cold air in place, even for early January, this system doesn't look like a major snowmaker east of the Rockies. Generally light to moderate snowfall is expected in parts of the High Plains, upper Midwest and parts of the eastern Great Lakes and northern New England.

Locally heavy rain is most likely Friday into early Saturday in the Tennessee Valley, where local flash flooding is possible.

Wind, Colder Air

While strong wind gusts are possible in parts of the central and eastern U.S. Thursday and Friday, the biggest concern for high winds will be this weekend.

Saturday, strong winds with gusts occasionally over 40 mph, are possible throughout the Plains, Midwest, and increasingly the East as low pressure strengthens.

These strong winds will continue in the Midwest and East Sunday.

These wind gusts could be strong enough to down tree limbs and knock out power for some. In areas of snowfall, these winds could lead to reduced visibility and challenging driving conditions.

Some colder air will be dragged behind the storm into the Midwest, South and East, but it won't be bitterly cold, nor will it last long.

(MAPS: 10-Day US Forecast Highs/Lows)

Jonathan Erdman is a senior meteorologist at weather.com and has been covering national and international weather since 1996. Extreme and bizarre weather are his favorite topics. Reach out to him on Bluesky, X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.