Breakfast Brief - Busy Easter weekend ahead

Severe storms are back in the forecast across the central U.S., mostly into the overnight hours, while a winter storm rages across the Rockies. Temperatures are on the rise in the eastern U.S. where a few records could be tied. The WeatherRadar shows a busy Easter weekend too. The Breakfast Brief is published Monday through Friday at 5:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

A quiet, partly cloudy day will turn to a busy evening and overnight period of severe storms from Texas to Michigan as a cold front runs into a warm, water-laden air mass. A few general thunderstorms are possible across the Upper Great Lakes during the early-to-mid afternoon hours, but things will quickly deteriorate around dinner time and through the night.

Damaging winds and hail are the main storm modes to be on the lookout for, however, an isolated tornado will be possible locally. Heavy downpours could also cause some flooding issues for the mid-Mississippi Valley. Have at least three ways to receive weather warnings.

The same winter storm that impacted the Rockies on Thursday is slowly descending south across the central Rockies and Four Corners today. We can expect to see heavy snow on its northern flank with up to 22 inches piling up in the mountains, with more locally. Rain and thunderstorms dot its southern flank. Have your eyes on the WeatherRadar if you have Friday plans!

To the East, temperatures are on the rise and a few records could be tied in the South and in Florida. Highs are expected to be in the 70s and 80s as far north as Milwaukee, Detroit and Pittsburgh with 90s in the Southeast.

For Easter weekend, egg hunts and cookouts will need to have indoor backup plans everywhere except for the Southwest and Southeast. The WeatherRadar shows severe storms stretching from the southern Plains to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, with flooding rains impacting northeast Texas to the Midwest once more, especially on Saturday.

The Rockies, specifically the central Rockies, continue to deal with the same strong snowstorm on Saturday which will roll off the Front Range by Sunday and move into the Plains and Midwest, causing more strong thunderstorms on Sunday.

Rain and mountain snow will move into the Pacific Northwest Saturday and last through East Sunday after a period of quiet weather. Have your Weather & Radar app handy if you have outdoor holiday plans.

The WeatherRadar shows forecasts up to four days out! It's a great tool for predicting what's ahead for your spring break holidays.