Easter week is here, and this weekend's forecast has a pronounced split in the nation's weather as a storm system tracks across the eastern half of the country.

Let's break down the forecast each day this weekend to help you plan your holiday activities.

Saturday

- Where the weather looks great: In the West from the Rockies to the West Coast, it will be sunny in most areas with temperatures near or above average, and not nearly as hot as the recent record heat wave.

- Where you'll need a jacket: Unfortunately, rain and thunderstorms are expected Saturday from the Great Lakes to eastern Texas and the lower Mississippi Valley. Some thunderstorms could be strong or severe with heavy rainfall, as well. In parts of the upper Midwest, snow is expected in the areas shown in blue or purple in the map below. And strong, chilly winds are expected in much of the Plains and upper Mississippi Valley behind a cold front.

- Where it might be okay: We can't rule out a threat of some showers in parts of the East. But in most areas, they don't seem likely enough to postpone any Easter egg hunts. And while it will be breezy, it will also be much warmer than average in most of the East, with 70s and 80s as far north as parts of the mid-Atlantic

(192-hours: Further beef up your forecast with our detailed, hour-by-hour breakdown for the next 8 days – only available on our Premium Pro experience.)

Easter Sunday

- Fabulous holiday weather: Again, the West is the big winner on Sunday, with plenty of sunshine and temperatures generally warmer than average for the first Sunday in April, without the recent blistering heat.

- Rain jacket will be needed: Unfortunately, rain, perhaps with a clap of thunder, is likely in the East as a cold front slices through. It will also be quite windy with the front. Any sunrise Easter services planned outdoors in the Southeast may have to be moved indoors.

- A winter jacket needed: Sunday will be chilly and windy in the Midwest, with highs only in the 40s in the Great Lakes. Some snow showers may linger in parts of the western Great Lake snowbelts from northeast Minnesota into northern Wisconsin, Upper Michigan and western and northern Lower Michigan. Leave extra time to get to your Easter destination if traveling in these areas.

(FORECAST MAPS: Rain/Snow | Highs/Lows | Travel Planner)

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.