Thursday's forecast: Big storms for much of central U.S.
Severe storms are again possible across a large portion of the central U.S. on Thursday.
Central U.S.: Severe thunderstorms capable of producing large hail, high winds and tornadoes could lash much of the central U.S. on Thursday, all the way from Texas to Michigan. The area of greatest concern covers much of the southern Great Lakes, Midwest, Tennessee River Valley and Mississippi River Valley, according to the National Weather Service.
Further to the north, a wintry mix of rain and snow is likely in the northern Plains.
East: The Northeast will again be socked in with clouds and cool temperatures. An icy mess will create travel havoc in New England and New York State. While the mid-Atlantic sees clouds and rain, much of the Southeast will be warm to hot.
West: Most of the western third of the nation will be sunny and dry on Thursday. The exceptions will be in the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies, where rain and snow is forecast.
Weather history for April 9: In 1947, tornadoes tore through Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas, killing 169 people and injuring 980. Woodward, Okla., was worst hit, where 101 died.
In 1972, Raleigh, N.C., dropped to 23 degrees, tying a record low for April. In 1990, International Falls, Minn., set a record high temperature of 77 degrees.