Severe storms and possible wildfires are in the mix in the Plains and snow is expected in the Northwest on Tuesday as a majority of the country continues to feel some springtime chill.

The Midwest has been at the center of inclement weather to start the week. The Great Lakes region received heavy snowfall Monday, and some states had been under blizzard warnings.

For Tuesday, the severe weather threat was moving south into the Plains.

Temperatures will remain cool throughout the West Coast and Northeast, while the Southeast will see some sunny, warmer conditions.

Here's what to know about the national weather forecast for Tuesday:

Severe storm threat in the Plains

Severe thunderstorms will pose a risk with possible downpours, hail and gusty winds from northern Texas to South Dakota. Some of the storms will form along a dry line, AccuWeather said, which is where moist air is separated by dry air and can "lead to explosive results."

By Tuesday afternoon, showers and thunderstorms will develop over parts of the southern Plains, the National Weather Service said. Overnight Tuesday, showers and thunderstorms are forecast over parts of the northern and central Plains into parts of the Middle Mississippi Valley.

Red flag warnings in Plains, Mid-Atlantic

Wildfires could develop in the Plains and Mid-Atlantic Tuesday afternoon because of extremely dry conditions, low relative humidity and high winds. A red flag warning was in effect for the following states:

• New Mexico

• Eastern Colorado

• Northwest Texas

• Western Nebraska

• Virginia

• Maryland

• Delaware

• Southern New Jersey

More wintry weather for the Pacific Northwest

Residents in the Pacific Northwest can expect to see rain or snow Tuesday as a cold front will move inland toward the northern Rockies, according to the National Weather Service.

"Snowfall totals in excess of a foot likely over the next two days through much of the Washington and Oregon Cascades and Olympic Range, while totals over 6 inches are possible through the northern Sierra and northern Rockies," the weather service said.

'Chilliest day' of the week in the Northeast

Temperatures continued to drop in the Northeast after some spots had high temperatures creep up into the low 90s just a few days ago.

With the possibility of rain from Maine all the way down to southern Pennsylvania, AccuWeather forecasters said Tuesday "will be the chilliest day of the week" for much of the region.

"Tuesday will be quite the wake-up call for the region in the wake of widespread 80s and low 90s to end last week," AccuWeather said.

Southeast stays warm

The Southeast will be spared from the chilly weather, and temperatures will hover around the 70s-80s Tuesday.

The expected highs on Tuesday:

• New Orleans: 77

• Miami: 81

• Atlanta: 78

• Nashville: 79

• Charlotte: 78

National weather radar

Follow Jordan Mendoza on Twitter: @jordan_mendoza5.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tuesday weather: Severe storms in Plains, cooler temps elsewhere