In the US, storms threaten 50 million people from Texas to Virginia

(CNN) — A powerful storm system is moving across the United States, bringing threats of severe storms, flooding and snow to the central and eastern parts of the country from Texas to Virginia.

The potential for damaging weather events increases Monday as more than 50 million people face the threat of severe storms in Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri.

Here are the forecast details for the next few days.

Monday: Wind speed and risk of tornado damage increased

The main area of ​​interest on Monday stretches from northeast Texas to western Indiana. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has set a severe storm risk level of 3 out of 5 for the area.

Dallas, Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, Springfield, and St. Louis are some of the most at-risk cities, with the main threats being tornadoes (some could be EF2+), large to very large hail (greater than 5 cm in diameter) and damaging wind gusts.

“The strongest threat will peak in the afternoon/evening over the southern Plains, with the greatest threat near the Ohio Valley during the evening/evening,” the SPC warns.

From central Texas to West Virginia, the risk of strong storms is slight (level 2 out of 5) as it passes through San Antonio, Indianapolis, Austin, Kansas City and Cincinnati.

A slight risk of severe thunderstorms (Level 1 of 5) extends from Texas to eastern Virginia, including Amarillo, Shreveport, Richmond and Columbus, Ohio. The main threats are large hail and damaging wind gusts, but the possibility of a tornado cannot be ruled out.

Research shows Nighttime tornadoes are twice as dangerous as daytime tornadoes.

It is difficult to detect tornadoes in the dark, but the main reason is that people are sleeping.

A flood watch is in effect for more than 8 million people from eastern Indiana to western Maryland from Monday morning through Tuesday afternoon. 2.5 to 10 cm of rain is possible, with isolated falls of up to 13 cm.

Parts of the Northern Plains could see more snow on Monday, while the upper Midwest could see a wintry mix on Monday.

Tuesday: A strong storm system moves east

The risk of severe storms extends from northern Alabama to southern Ohio, including Nashville, Louisville and Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky.

The primary threats are large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes, with areas facing minor risks of severe storms, which stretch from central Mississippi to central Ohio and include Cincinnati, Birmingham, Knoxville and Chattanooga.

Cities at threat level 1 out of 5 for Tuesday include Jackson, Mobile, Memphis, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, Washington, Baltimore and Richmond. The Baltimore Bridge is still recovering from the collapse.

At the northern end of the storm, temperatures are cooler, making winter and even some April snow possible. The Northern Plains and upper Midwest could see a wintry mix on Monday, while the threat of wintry weather for the Great Lakes and the Inland Northeast begins Tuesday and lasts through Thursday.

Cities like Chicago could even see some flakes, but little snow accumulation is expected. Heavy snowfall is expected in northern Michigan and higher elevations in the Interior Northeast such as the Green, White and Adirondack Mountains.

Rainfall is expected only in major cities of North East.