Monster March storm will rage across the US with tornadoes, snow and more
A potent March storm was slamming into California on Thursday, a system that could soon bring "the most significant severe weather outbreak of the year" to portions of the central and eastern U.S. on Friday and Saturday, AccuWeather said.
The colossal system will put over 100 million people at risk of severe weather, from blizzard conditions in the northern Plains to tornadoes and wildfires in the South.
On Thursday, the storm was bringing heavy mountain snow and strong winds to the Sierra Nevada and heavy rainfall over parts of coastal southern California. "Heavy rain may cause flash flooding across portions of southern California through tonight," the National Weather Service said Thursday morning.
Look to the night sky overnight Thursday for a chance to see the 'blood moon.' A cloud forecast reveals best spots to see the total lunar eclipse.
"Powerful wind gusts of 40 to 70 mph combined with heavy snow will create treacherous to potentially impossible travel below many major passes across the Sierra Nevada and northern California higher terrain into Thursday," the weather service said.
An overnight EF-0 tornado was reported in Pico Rivera, California, the weather service said. Damage occurred to homes and cars, along with multiple snapped trees. No injuries were reported.
And while the main severe weather outbreak will be Friday and Saturday, a few severe thunderstorms producing hail and locally damaging gusts are possible Thursday from eastern Mississippi into Alabama, western Georgia, and parts of the Florida Panhandle, the Storm Prediction Center said.
Severe weather outbreak possible Friday
A "regional outbreak of severe storms" is expected across much of the Mississippi Valley, eastward to the Lower Ohio and Tennessee Valleys late Friday afternoon into early Saturday morning, the Storm Prediction Center said. "All severe hazards are possible, including swaths of intense winds and tornadoes."
Cities most at risk Friday include St. Louis, Memphis and Nashville, while Saturday's greatest risk area includes New Orleans and Birmingham, Alabama.
Severe thunderstorms will be racing eastward Friday night, and are expected to maintain strength well past midnight, AccuWeather meteorologist Bernie Rayno said. “We expect as many as two dozen or more tornadoes, as well as hundreds of reports of damaging wind gusts, by the end of this weekend,” he said.
Look to the night sky overnight Thursday for a chance to see the 'blood moon.' A cloud forecast reveals best spots to see the total lunar eclipse.
"Strong tornadoes could strike after dark Friday, which is extremely dangerous, especially during the overnight hours while many people are asleep,” AccuWeather senior director of forecasting operations Dan DePodwin said. “Please take time now to make sure your storm shelter or safe room is ready for use and stocked with emergency supplies in case a tornado warning is issued in your community."
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Fire fears as temperatures rise
Dry, warm and windy conditions will promote critical fire weather conditions across portions of the Plains on Thursday and through the rest of the week, the National Weather Service said.
Red flag warnings were in place Thursday across several states from Texas to the Dakotas, meaning conditions are ripe for wildfires to spread. "Any fires that develop will spread rapidly and be difficult or impossible to control," the weather service said.
Above-average temperatures are also expected across the central and eastern U.S. for the next few days.
Snow also on the way
Snow will develop in the northern Plains late Friday through Saturday, according to Weather.com meteorologist Chris Dolce. That might include from northern Nebraska to the Dakotas and western and northern Minnesota, he said.
Look to the night sky overnight Thursday for a chance to see the 'blood moon.' A cloud forecast reveals best spots to see the total lunar eclipse.
"Snow totals in the northern Plains won't be heavy, but high winds in combination with the snowfall could whip-up blizzard conditions in spots, leading to dangerous travel conditions.