Skip to content

Massive storm set to bring severe weather and historic snowfall

Posted by
forecast map

Summary

A huge storm will bring record-breaking snowfall to the northern Rockies and widespread severe weather across the northern Plains, Mississippi, and Ohio River valleys.

Key Highlights

Threats: Tornadoes, flash flooding, hail, damaging winds, heavy snow, blizzard conditions

States affected: MT, ND, SD, WY, ID, CO, MN, IA, MO, TX, LA, AR, IL, WI, MI, TN, KY, MS, IN, OH, PA, NY, OK

When: Monday, April 11 - Wednesday, April 13

A Storm of Trouble

AccuWeather For Business meteorologists are monitoring the development of a large storm moving from the Northwest through the Plains this week. As the storm moves into the northern Plains, it is forecast to strengthen, bringing widespread gusty winds and blizzard conditions to the area. It will also impact communities from the southern Plains to the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys, bringing dangerous severe weather, including tornados, damaging winds, and hail, over the next several days.

severe wednesday

The threat for severe weather begins Monday, impacting northern Texas to the Ozarks. Large hail, isolated tornadoes, and flooding downpours will impact the area, along with an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 80 mph wind gusts. The severe weather threat will be more widespread on Tuesday and Tuesday night, extending from southern Minnesota southward to central and eastern Texas. Tornadoes, damaging winds, and flash flooding are all forecasted. This will continue Wednesday into southern Wisconsin and southwestern Michigan southward to the central Gulf Coast. Tornadoes will remain a major threat, along with large hail, flash flooding, and damaging winds for major cities like St. Louis, Chicago, New Orleans, and Nashville. For wind, there is an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 80 mph.

Blizzard

At the same time, blizzard conditions will target the northern Rockies extending northeast through the Dakotas into northwestern Minnesota. Heavy snow rates up to 2 inches per hour can impact the Dakotas Wednesday as low pressure rapidly deepens in the region. Up to 2 feet of snow is expected in South Dakota, extending northeastward into Manitoba and western Ontario. There is an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 40 inches. This could break the record for the snowfall for the month of April in cities such as Bismarck and Grand Forks. During the height of the blizzard, travel will become impossible with zero visibility and severe drifting of snow likely exceeding several feet.

Businesses in the area need to keep a close eye on this system and should:

  • Expect business interruption due to power outages
  • Disruptions to ground logistics due to road closures and icy/snow-covered roads
  • Prioritize cold weather concerns for outdoor workers
  • Ensure all employees and visitors on-site have a way to be notified of severe weather

When severe weather strikes - Partner with us 

Trust our experts to help you make critical decisions with confidence whenever snow and ice threaten, starting with  AccuWeather Snow Alerts™ delivered straight to your inbox. Take a step up with 1:1 business weather expert support with our Snow Warning Service. Or cover everything you need around the globe in all types of weather with SkyGuard® Severe Weather Warnings.

 

Prepare your business for any weather that heads your way.

Demo SkyGuard today.

The latest from AccuWeather For Business