First cross-country storm of 2026 to bring rain, snow and severe weather threat

The first cross-country storm of 2026 is brewing and is expected to bring rain to millions, as well as the threat of severe weather to the Deep South and even some snow across the Upper Midwest.

A developing storm out of the West could impact most of the country by the end of the week, according to the FOX Forecast Center.

Stormy conditions will break out in the Southwest on Thursday as a cut-off area of low pressure, currently stalled over the Pacific, will be picked up by the jet stream and move into the Rockies.

A cutoff low is an area of upper-level energy that has become separated from the main jet stream, leaving it stuck in place until the jet stream nudges it forward or reabsorbs it, according to the FOX Forecast Center.

This system is forecast to bring up to an inch of rain across much of the Southern Plains on Thursday, while snow will be possible across New Mexico, Colorado, and north into Minnesota.

Exactly how much snow will fall remains an open question. The more cold air that is able to infiltrate south from Canada, the greater the snow potential.

As the storm system tracks east, a widespread area of rain will cover much of the Midwest beginning Thursday afternoon.

A low-end flash flood threat covers parts of Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana on Thursday and shifts over Kentucky and Tennessee on Friday.

Farther south, a cold front will move ahead of the main area of low pressure into the Deep South, sparking the potential for severe weather.

According to the FOX Forecast Center, the main threat will likely be on Friday, centered across the Lower Mississippi and Tennessee valleys, including parts of southern Illinois, southeastern Missouri, southwestern Kentucky, western Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama.

These storms could be capable of generating damaging wind gusts, hail, and possibly tornadoes.

The final phase of these storms will dissipate across the Great Lakes and Northeast from Saturday through Sunday. Gusty winds and blowing snow are possible in the Great Lakes.

The cold front is expected to lift into the Northeast late Friday through Saturday, providing showers and thunderstorms.

States such as Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Maine, as well as others in the Northeast, can expect heavy rain through Saturday.

Conditions across the U.S. are expected to improve by late Sunday, with most areas drying out by the start of the new week.