According to AccuWeather meteorologists, a powerful storm will sweep from the Rockies to the Canada border on Friday and continue into Saturday over the central United States.
The extreme weather will endanger numerous major cities in the Midwest.
The storm's enormous circulation will suck warm, moist air northward from the Gulf of Mexico, while powerful winds from the storm system will supply the energy required for storms to become intense.
The same storm will bring blizzard conditions to regions of the Dakotas and Montana.
Severe weather in the central US
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In regards to severe storms, Friday may be quite calm.
However, when the earth heats up in April, thunderstorms will erupt and swiftly turn severe throughout the late afternoon and nighttime hours, according to forecasts.
According to AccuWeather Meteorologist Randy Adkins, the greatest hazards from the severe weather from late Friday afternoon through Friday night will likely be huge hail and powerful wind gusts.
Severe tornadoes, like any severe weather event, have the potential to spin up and inflict property damage.
The greatest chance of several tornadoes will be in sections of eastern Nebraska, southern and eastern South Dakota, and western Iowa from late Friday to Friday evening, according to AccuWeather Director of Forecast Operations Dan DePodwin, who added that this is where the most twisting winds in the atmosphere will be, as well as a surge of warm and moist air at the same time.
On Friday evening, motorists should be prepared for shifting weather conditions as they drive along Interstates 29, 70, 80, and 90.
The storms are expected to have a direct impact on the cities of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Grand Island, Nebraska, and Salina, Kansas.
There will be an increased risk because the storms are expected to hit close to sunset or after dark on Friday.
There will be also a full-blown blizzard this Friday
On Friday and Saturday, snow will be the primary weather story further north and west as a winter storm builds intensity over the area.
According to USA Today, the storm may turn into a full-fledged blizzard, with travel-snarling snow and feet of snowfall in some regions.
Winter storm warnings have been issued for parts of Montana, Wyoming, and the Dakotas due to the developing possibility of more than a foot of snow and whiteout conditions caused by significant snowfall rates and/or strong winds producing limited visibility, according to the Weather Service.
Fire weather across the south
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Finally, exceptional fire weather is expected Friday in the southern Rockies, mostly in Colorado and New Mexico.
Widespread 5% to 15% relative humidity and 30 to 40 mph winds (gusts up to 60 mph) will overspread dangerously dry fuels, the Weather Service predicted.
The volatile mix will promote intense fire-weather conditions.
Red-flag warnings have been issued for New Mexico, eastern Colorado, and the Texas Panhandle, as well as parts of Arizona, western Nebraska, and western Kansas.
Fire conditions will deteriorate Thursday, especially in the Southwest, before spreading into the eastern Rockies and western Great Plains on Friday.
The Weather Service cautions that the weather "will become suitable for fast fire development and unpredictable fire behavior" at that point.
