A massive storm system will bring heavy snow, wintry mixture, and flooding to the northern side. It will also bring severe thunderstorms and rainfall to the southern side.
On Thursday morning, heavy snow fell at snowfall rates up to 2 inches an hour in parts of the Midwest and central Plains. Thundersnow was even reported in Kansas City. Heavy snow is expected to continue throughout Thursday, along with a wintry mixture of sleet & freezing rain.
Flood concerns were also expected from New England to the Midwest due to 1 to 3 inches of rainfall falling on snow accumulations already high.
Over 100 river gauges will see a rise to minor or major flood stage over the next few days. The Buffalo, New York and northeast Ohio are two rivers to be on the lookout for.
The most serious threat from severe thunderstorms is Thursday. Strong tornadoes are possible, particularly in parts of Mississippi, western, middle Tennessee, and western Alabama. Hail and wind gusts up to 75 mph are also possible.
The risk zone includes Memphis, Nashville, Tennessee, Jackson, Mississippi, Birmingham, Alabama, Louisville, Kentucky, Shreveport Louisiana, and Little Rock Arkansas. Memphis, Jackson and Nashville are the most vulnerable cities to tornadoes.
The East Coast will be impacted by heavy rain and strong winds from Thursday night to Friday morning. The best times for torrential rain and strong wind gusts are midnight to 6 a.m. on Friday. In some areas, winds could reach 65 mph. By 9 a.m. on Friday, all rain will have stopped off the Atlantic coast.
The Northeast and New England will experience record-breaking temperatures ahead of the storm.
A little over a dozen records will be possible across New England on Thursday, including Boston. If it hits 62 degrees, it will set a new record.
The region’s highs will be between 20 and 30 degrees higher than the average, making it feel more April-like than February. Friday will be mild with temperatures dropping throughout the day.
