Millions Brace for More Stormy Conditions in Eastern Half of U.S.

In contradiction to the old adage, the last weekend of March is certainly not going out like a lamb. More severe weather is on the horizon for dozens of states beginning on Friday and lingering through Monday. Here is a more detailed look at the anticipated timing and locations of the severe weather outbreak.

Active Month of Weather Marches into the Weekend

Approximately 100 million Americans are in the impact zone for a rash of severe forms expected late this week and into the early part of next week. Daily rounds of thunderstorms will fire ignite over the Mississippi Valley this weekend before pushing to the east and to the Atlantic coastline by late Sunday and Monday.

The line of storms will usher in the usual impacts, ranging from high winds to frequent lightning strikes to the chance of tornadic activity. The anticipated unsettled weather will be the third consecutive weekend of severe storms for the central and eastern U.S. This trend began the weekend of March 14 when a deadly tornado outbreak reminded Americans of the hazards of spring storms.

March has already seen over 1,900 preliminary reports of severe weather. This number includes over 220 reports of tornadoes. The numbers are sure to increase in the days ahead as another storm system settles into the central and eastern U.S.

Friday Will Kick Off the Storm Activity

Friday will serve as an appetizer for what is to come for the weekend. Forecasters are warning that pockets of severe storms may pop up over the central Plains and in parts of southeastern Texas and Louisiana. The key concerns for Friday's outbreak will be hail, localized damaging winds, and flash flooding.