In the midst of a volatile week of weather, severe storms have wreaked havoc across several states, leaving destruction in their wake. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has issued Level 2 out of 5 risk warnings for portions of eastern Indiana, Ohio, southern Michigan, western Pennsylvania, and western West Virginia. These severe weather conditions pose a threat to nearly 25 million people residing in cities such as Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania, Detroit in Michigan, and Columbus and Cleveland in Ohio.

The severe thunderstorm threat persisted on Wednesday, where a separate area of severe storms projected the likelihood of large hail in northeastern Kansas and western Missouri, including the Kansas City metro area. Meteorologist Craig Herrera from FOX Weather commented that some of these storms had already started picking up on Tuesday morning.

In addition to the severe storms, the threat of flash floods also loomed large. As Herrera cautioned, the storms were capable of producing substantial amounts of rainfall within a short period. However, the overall flash flood threat is hindered by the recent dry conditions in most areas, although localized flooding remains a possibility.

Looking ahead, a powerful front is anticipated to sweep in on Thursday, bringing with it another round of severe storms. This new system will originate from the Rockies and will impact the South while ushering in cooler temperatures. The SPC has issued a Level 2 threat for areas such as eastern Missouri, lower Ohio Valley, and North Texas. These regions could experience scattered strong to severe thunderstorms, potentially accompanied by damaging winds, large hail, and even tornadoes.

The FOX Forecast Center predicts that the southern end of the cold front will witness the most intense storms, with southwestern Missouri and Texas facing the brunt of damaging wind gusts and large hail. As the frontal system slows down, it may briefly stall from Friday to Sunday, resulting in repeated rounds of showers and storms across Texas and parts of the mid-South. Although the risk of flash floods is lower due to recent dry spells, localized flooding could still occur.

As the cold front progresses southward, cooler air originating from Canada will follow suit, leading to dramatic temperature changes. FOX Weather Meteorologist Britta Merwin highlights that locations across the central and southern Plains, which experienced temperatures in the 80s earlier this week, will struggle to reach the 50s on Thursday. This cool air will extend southward to regions along I-20, affecting areas like Shreveport.

Over the next three days, a significant portion of the population is expected to experience below-average temperatures. The cooler temperatures will gradually expand farther south and eastward throughout the weekend, spreading below-average temperatures throughout most areas east of the Rockies, excluding Florida. The High Plains are projected to face the most significant deviation from mid-April averages, with high temperatures potentially plummeting 15-20 degrees below normal.

As residents brace themselves for further severe storms and below-average temperatures, it is crucial to stay informed and prepared. With millions of people across multiple states in the potential path of these extreme weather events, taking necessary precautions and remaining vigilant is of utmost importance.