As a dip in the jet stream begins to ease the historic heat wave out West, that warmth will shift east, bringing a warmup to the central U.S. But as it collides with cooler air, it will likely set the stage for severe storms—bringing strong winds, large hail, and the potential for tornadoes across the Plains.
They say “April showers bring May flowers”—but that’s only part of the story. This April could have a few twists of its own. So, what really is in store for us around the country? The FOX Forecast Center is calling for a “big shake-up.
” From severe storms to warmups and cooldowns, let’s break it down. As we move out of March, the old saying “March comes in like a lion and leaves like a lamb” has certainly come true in 2026, kicking off severe weather season in a big way — the pattern across the U.S. is about to shift, as a historic heat wave in the West will begin to ease and push east.And now this warm, moist air, colliding with the cooler air already in place, will trigger severe storms across the Plains and into the Mississippi River Valley by the beginning of April.to ease, the pattern will shift and will break down the heat dome, allowing temperatures to ease back closer to normal. The FOX Forecast Center said that this shift will open the door to Pacific storm systems to move in again. While April is typically the snowiest month for parts of the Rockies, much of the West is coming off a winter of below-average snowfall, with snowpack levels at record lows. Some snowfall is expected to be on the lighter side, but some higher elevations across the West have a better chance of seeing more, specifically within the Northern Rockies.Now this warm, moist air, colliding with the cooler air already in place, will trigger severe storms across the Plains and into the Mississippi River Valley by the beginning of April.As the heat exits the West, it will shift east, as that same ridge of high pressure is expected to rebuild over the eastern half of the country.The FOX Forecast Center said the two air masses — warm air across the East and cooler air across the West — are where “things get interesting.”This creates a classic spring pattern with warmer air across the East and cooler, more active weather in the West, but the Eastern region is still expected to get some of those classic “April showers.”The FOX Forecast Center said the two air masses — warm air across the East and cooler air across the West — are where “things get interesting.”Tornado-damaged homes of a residential neighborhood near Norman Street and Strasma North Drive can be seen from the air, Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Aroma Park, Ill.Volunteers clear debris after a suspected tornado hit the area a day earlier, in Union City Mich., Saturday, March 7, 2026.This is where the threat of severe storms potentially comes in, as the zone from the Great Plains through the Mississippi Valley is expected to become the focus for active weather. That is where cooler air coming out of the West will collide with warm, moisture-rich air surging north from the Gulf of America. Damage and debris are seen along Tuttle Road following a tornado that hit several cities in rural southwest Michigan on March 7, 2026, in Union City, Michigan.Portions of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kansas, and Missouri are at a high level of severe storm probability for April. These storms are expected to bring strong winds to the region, large hail, and EF2+ tornadoes, possibly for the month of April. Disgraced cop dramatically stares down fellow officer who shot her in the chest — as he claims she was homicidalDemocrat flips long-held Florida GOP House seat that includes Trump's Mar-a-LagoStarbucks’ Hannah Montana Drink Flavor Fail Sends Fans Into Furious Frenzy: “Did We FORGET In The Show She HATES Raspberry”ABC Dumps ‘The Bachelorette’ After Taylor Frankie Paul’s Domestic Violence Video SurfacesNow this warm, moist air, colliding with the cooler air already in place, will trigger severe storms across the Plains and into the Mississippi River Valley by the beginning of April.The FOX Forecast Center said the two air masses — warm air across the East and cooler air across the West — are where"things get interesting."Tornado-damaged homes of a residential neighborhood near Norman Street and Strasma North Drive can be seen from the air, Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Aroma Park, Ill.Volunteers clear debris after a suspected tornado hit the area a day earlier, in Union City Mich., Saturday, March 7, 2026.Damage and debris are seen along Tuttle Road following a tornado that hit several cities in rural southwest Michigan on March 7, 2026, in Union City, Michigan. Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Send Help’ on VOD, Sam Raimi’s Return-to-Form Comedy-Thriller, Which Puts Rachel McAdams Through the Wringer
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