Strong-to-severe thunderstorms will threaten a wide swath of the country stretching from the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes.  

COLD AIRMASS TRIGGERS FREEZE, FROST WARNINGS IN CALIFORNIA

The threat of severe storms in the eastern U.S.

The threat of severe storms in the eastern U.S. on Thursday (Credit: Fox News)

Large hail, damaging winds, heavy rain and tornadoes will be possible through Thursday night. 

The threat of flash floods through Friday morning

The threat of flash floods through Friday morning in the eastern U.S. (Credit: Fox News)

On the back side of this system, 4 to 8 inches of snow will fall from the central U.S. to the upper Midwest, and into northern New England on Friday.   

Snow forecast through Friday

Snow forecast through Friday in the Midwest, Great Lakes and central U.S. (Credit: Fox News)

Record-breaking temperatures ahead of the cold front will make it feel more like late April in some cities, while cold arctic air has settled in over the western U.S.  

Potential record low temperatures

Potential record low temperatures across the Southwest on Thursday (Credit: Fox News)

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Snow forecast through Friday

Snow forecast through Friday in the Midwest, Great Lakes and central U.S. (Credit: Fox News)

It is also worth noting that Hawaii is in for several days of heavy rain and possible flooding