50 million in the path of storms. See interactive maps and radar

• Severe storms are expected to impact roughly 50 million people from the Southern Plains to western New York.
• The main threats include large hail, strong winds, and a few tornadoes, especially in the afternoon and evening.
• Storms are forecast to begin as supercells before organizing into a line, increasing the risk of widespread damaging winds.
• Affected areas include parts of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, with specific threat windows detailed for each region.

Severe storms are expected to target millions from the Southern Plains to western New York on Thursday, March 26, putting roughly 50 million people at risk for damaging weather, including large hail, strong winds and a few tornadoes.

Storms are expected to develop late Thursday afternoon, especially near southern Lake Michigan, before spreading east into Indiana and Ohio through the evening.

Forecasters say the setup could support supercells early, capable of producing very large hail up to 2 to 3 inches in diameter.

A few tornadoes are also possible, particularly if storms remain isolated ahead of an advancing cold front, before transitioning into a line of storms later in the evening.

"There is a 90% chance for showers and storms this evening," the National Weather Service in Northern Indiana wrote. "Storms could be severe with damaging wind gusts, large hail, heavy rain and tornadoes."

What to expect?

Storms are expected to begin as discrete supercells, capable of producing:

• Large to very large hail, potentially over 2 inches in diameter
• Damaging wind gusts up to 60–75 mph
• A few tornadoes are possible, primarily in areas where the storm system first develops.

Storms are likely to organize into a line later in the evening, increasing the threat for widespread damaging winds/ Heavy rain is also possible, with 1 to 3 inches of rainfall in some areas, which could lead to localized flooding.

When will storms hit?

• Ohio and western Pennsylvania: The primary severe threat window is Thursday evening into the overnight, roughly 6 p.m. to midnight local time, with damaging wind, large hail, and isolated tornadoes possible, especially near and north of I‑70. Storms may also bring heavy rainfall, raising the chance for localized flooding. By Friday morning, the severe threat should largely end as storms move east and instability decreases.
• Indiana: The primary severe threat window — including large hail, damaging wind, and a few tornadoes — is later in the afternoon through the evening, roughly 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. local time for much of the state. Lingering showers and weaker thunderstorms may persist into midnight, but the severe threat is expected to gradually diminish afterward as storms move out and instability drops.
• Chicago/Illinois: Thunderstorms are likely to develop along a fast-moving cold front later Thursday afternoon, especially near and south of I-80, with the primary severe threat window from roughly 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. local time, according to the National Weather Service in Chicago. Large hail up to 2 inches and damaging winds are the main hazards, with tornadoes less likely due to high cloud bases and weak low-level shear. Storms are expected to transition into clusters or lines as the front moves south, with lingering showers and lighter thunderstorms continuing into the evening. After 10 p.m., the severe threat gradually diminishes as the front passes and instability drops.
• Detroit/Lower Peninsula Michigan: The primary severe threat — including damaging winds, large hail, and isolated tornadoes — is expected between roughly 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. local time, according to the National Weather Service in Michigan. The greatest risk is along and south of the I‑94 corridor, with storms likely transitioning to a linear mode later in the evening. After 8 p.m., the severe threat quickly diminishes as storms move out and sharply colder air arrives.

Rolling storm damage report

As storms move across the country, this interactive map lets you track impacts in real time. See where tornadoes touched down, hail sizes reported, trees knocked over, and roads closed due to flooding.

Hover over each icon to view detailed reports from National Weather Service stations right in the strike zone.

Expected rainfall totals

U.S. radar loop

U.S. weather watches and warnings

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Brandi D. Addison covers weather across the United States as the Weather Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network. She can be reached at [email protected]. Find her on Facebook here.