This week, several parts of the US are expected to experience two back-to-back strong winter storms that will bring significant amounts of snow, rain, and wind.
Early spring temperatures in the northeast of the country that set records are partly to blame for the severe weather warnings.
A winter storm warning has already been issued for portions of northern Arizona, northern New Mexico, and southern Colorado.
Between Monday and Thursday, it is expected that the storms will move from west to east.
The National Weather Service (NWS) reported that the first storm, which will bring snow and strong winds exceeding 60 mph (96 km/h), quickly developed over the central US on Monday.
Between Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon, the storm's eastward movement will cause blizzard-like conditions in some areas of the upper Great Lakes and northern Plains.
In warmer areas, particularly in the vicinity of the southern Plains and lower Mississippi valley, it may also bring the possibility of thunderstorms. .
The Ohio Valley, the Great Lakes, and portions of the Midwest are also expected to experience rain on Tuesday. By Thursday, the storm is anticipated to enter eastern Canada.
Forecasters predict that the second storm, which is expected to hit the Central states on Wednesday and Thursday, will be much stronger and more disruptive.
According to the NWS, it will also bring strong to severe thunderstorms to the mid-South, from Cleveland, Ohio, to Mobile, Alabama.
According to Zack Taylor, a meteorologist with the NWS Weather Prediction Center, the thunderstorms are partially a result of the region experiencing warmer-than-average temperatures for mid-February.
One thing that has stood out this winter, at least for the East Coast and the Northeast in particular, is how warm it has been on average, according to Mr. Taylor.
He added that slightly above-average high temperatures of 60F (15C) are predicted for this week in cities like Louisville, Kentucky; Portland, Maine; Boston; and Hartford, Connecticut.
According to Mr. Taylor, the severe storm could cause downed trees and power lines as well as impede travel in some areas. He advised people to monitor their local forecasts in order to be well-prepared.
