Heartland Braces for New Round of Severe Weather

After one of the harshest winters on record, spring is bringing unusually warm temperatures to the nation's heartland, and along with it, some severe weather.

Violent storms are expected from Minnesota to Texas Thursday, with the worst striking from the afternoon into the evening.

Forecasters warned of multiple severe storms in some areas, cautioning residents to stay alert even after the first round has passed.

On Wednesday, storms that swept through Colorado spawned at least five tornadoes, including one near Akron.

Other parts of Colorado saw wind gusts up to 70 miles an hour and golf-ball sized hail.

Meanwhile, heavy winds are being blamed for de-railing a train near Wichita, Kansas. Thirty rail cars were knocked off the tracks by the 90-mile-an-hour winds.

"I didn't know what to think. I was shocked that it was strong enough to blow the train cars," recalled one man, who witnessed the train wreck.

"I mean I've come across all the snapped power poles, power lines down," he continued. "But I didn't think it was strong enough to blow the train over till I looked down there and saw it laying on its side."

In Salt Lake City, Utah, lightning from thunderstorms struck eight planes as they were trying to land.

This latest round of severe weather comes on the heels of a recent string of devastating tornadoes across the South.

President Barack Obama got a firsthand look at the devastation in Arkansas, where 15 people were killed.

"When something like this happens to a wonderful community like this one, it happens to all of us," he told Arkansas residents.

The president promised the government will help the victims rebuild their communities.