After a brief break, severe weather is returning to the forecast as April begins — mainly across the central U.S., with severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and flooding downpours all possible.
"Heavy thunderstorms this week may bring hail, damaging winds, tornadoes and flooding rain from the Plains to the Great Lakes, disrupting travel and outdoor plans into Easter weekend," saidAccuWeather meteorologist Alex Sosnowski in an online forecast.
At the same time, freezing rain and snow will bring a wintry feel to the far northern tier of the U.S. over the next few days.
Warmer days and blossoming flowers are signs that spring — which officially began on March 20 — is upon us. See stunning photos of scenes from spring 2026. The Pink Trumpet Tree (Tabebuia Impetiginosa) springs to life at the Hibiscus Fountain in Palm Beach, Fla., March 5, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Light rain gathers on a car window parked near Scituate Light which is reflected in the raindrops on the windshield in in Scituate, Mass., March 16, 2026" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Mist rises pond at Lakes Park, Fla., on March 24, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
See the beauty of spring in these stunning photos from across the US
Warmer days and blossoming flowers are signs thatspring— which officially began on March 20 — is upon us. See stunning photos of scenes from spring 2026.The Pink Trumpet Tree (Tabebuia Impetiginosa) springs to life at the Hibiscus Fountain in Palm Beach, Fla., March 5, 2026.
Stationary front to blame
On Tuesday, March 31, a front extended from the Northeast across the Great Lakes, Central Plains, Northern Rockies, and Northern California, which will remain nearly stationary with waves of low pressure running along the boundary through Thursday, April 2,NOAA's Weather Prediction Center (WPC) said in an online forecast.
"Tuesday's storms may bring large hail, damaging wind gusts and a few tornadoes, with the greatest concentration from southern Michigan to northeast Illinois, the northern parts of Indiana and Ohio,"AccuWeathermeteorologist Brandon Buckingham said.
NOAA's Storm Prediction Centerhas issued a slight risk (level 2/5) of severe thunderstorms for parts of the Great Lakes/Ohio Valley through Wednesday morning, April 1.
"The hazards associated with these thunderstorms are frequent lightning, severe thunderstorm wind gusts, hail, and a few tornadoes," theWPC said.
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Freezing rain and snow to the north
"Moreover, rain/freezing rain will develop from parts of the Upper Mississippi Valley/Upper Great Lakes into parts of the Northeast on Tuesday [March 31],"the WPC said. "In addition, light snow will develop over northern Maine and over parts of the Upper Mississippi Valley and Northern Plains."
By Wednesday, April 1, there will be patches of rain and freezing rain from the Central Plains to the Great Lakes, and a second area of rain and freezing rain over parts of the Northeast. Light snow will develop over parts of the Northern and Central Plains and the Upper Mississippi Valley on Wednesday, April 1.
Wet, stormy Wednesday for millions, forecast says
On Wednesday, April 1, the severe weather threat is forecast to shift south and consolidate over the Plains and parts of the Mississippi Valley,AccuWeather said. Severe weather is anticipated from central Texas through central and southeastern Kansas into southwestern and central Missouri.
Farther to the east, heavy thunderstorms will drench portions of the Ohio Valley and the Mid-Atlantic region Wednesday, April 1. "Along with downpours that can slow travel, some storms may produce winds strong enough to break tree branches and send trash cans and recycling bins flying," Sosnowski said.
Thursday's severe weather risk returns to Midwest
According toAccuWeather, the risk of severe weather will continue across parts of the Mississippi Valley and Plains on Thursday, April 2, and Friday, April 3, with Thursday's storms capable of producing strong wind gusts and hail from northern Arkansas to southern Michigan.
How much rain will fall? Will it help the drought?
A general 1-4 inches of rain is forecast from Texas and the north-central Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes and central Appalachians, with locally higher amounts of up to 6 inches possible,Sosnowski said. "While not all of the rain will fall at once, multiple rounds of disruptive rainfall are likely."
"In drought-stricken areas, repeated rainfall may bring some relief and reduce the risk of spring wildfires."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Severe weather is back in the US forecast as April 2026 begins