Major Severe Weather Event Impacts U.S., Hawaii: Blizzards, Wildfires, Flooding, High Winds Reported

A widespread and complex severe weather system impacted large portions of the United States and Hawaii, affecting over 200 million people with conditions ranging from heavy snow and blizzards to high winds, wildfires, thunderstorms, flooding, and extreme heat.

The event, described by AccuWeather as a "triple-threat March megastorm," caused significant disruptions to travel and infrastructure across multiple regions.

Overview of Weather System

The weather pattern brought a variety of conditions, including heavy snow, high winds, wildfires, thunderstorms, and flooding. AccuWeather characterized the period from Sunday into Monday as a "potent triple-threat March megastorm," noting active and extreme weather across the Lower 48 states and Hawaii, with a projection to affect approximately 200 million people. Hazards included damaging straight-line winds, tornadoes, significant snowfall, and flood risks.

Upper Midwest and Great Lakes Region

The Upper Midwest experienced significant snowfall and blizzard conditions. Over a foot of snow fell in parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin by Sunday morning, with additional accumulations expected in the Minneapolis area under blizzard warnings. By Sunday afternoon, more than 20 inches (50-51 centimeters) of snow had accumulated in sections of southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

Parts of central Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula were projected to receive over 2 feet (60 centimeters) of snow, with nearly 3 feet recorded in Mountain, Wisconsin, since Saturday. Michigan's Upper Peninsula was forecast to receive an additional foot of snow.

Road conditions were hazardous across Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin, prompting warnings for residents to avoid travel due to low visibility and snow-covered roadways.

Air travel was significantly disrupted, with over 600 flights canceled at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport on Sunday and dozens more at Detroit. O’Hare and Midway international airports in Chicago reported more than 850 cancellations.

High winds, with gusts reaching 66 mph at Pittsburgh International Airport and 85 mph at Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport, contributed to widespread power outages. Approximately 346,000 customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan were without electricity at one point. More than 210,000 utility customers across six Great Lakes states experienced outages by Sunday afternoon, with some originating from high winds on Friday.

Property damage included a gas station canopy in New Franklin, Ohio, an auto parts store sign in Baldwin, Pennsylvania, and a school roof in Niles, Illinois. Trees and tree limbs also fell onto homes and vehicles.

Nebraska Wildfires

High winds, reaching up to 60-65 mph (97 km/h), fueled multiple wildfires across Nebraska's range and grassland. One fire-related fatality was reported in Arthur County on Friday. The Nebraska National Guard deployed approximately 30 members to assist in combating the fires.

These wildfires had damaged over 900 square miles (2,330-2,331 square kilometers) of range and grassland, making it one of the largest wildfire events in Nebraska's history. One specific fire, the Morrill County fire, consumed at least 735 square miles across four counties, destroying at least 12 structures. Fire containment efforts were challenging due to the strong winds, and Governor Jim Pillen advised residents to adhere to evacuation orders. Farmers and community members provided support to volunteer firefighters with water trucks, bottled water, and food.

Eastern U.S. and Mid-Atlantic

Forecasters predicted late-day thunderstorms to spread eastward across the mid-South, posing a threat to a large area of the Eastern U.S. by Monday. Mid-Atlantic states, including Washington, D.C., Raleigh, North Carolina, and Richmond, Virginia, faced the highest risk for high winds and tornadoes.

Jonathan Porter, AccuWeather's chief meteorologist, stated that the severe weather setup in the Mid-Atlantic could be "volatile," potentially making it one of the most impactful early-season severe weather events in the region over the last decade.

Key hazards included damaging straight-line winds and tornadoes, with a specific risk for an intense tornado near the Baltimore and Washington D.C. metropolitan areas, extending through Virginia and into North Carolina. The National Weather Service anticipated a line of severe storms with damaging winds to move across much of the eastern U.S. by late Monday, originating in the Mississippi, Tennessee, and Ohio valleys. Concerns were also raised regarding flooding downpours, rapid rainfall, and urban flooding from New York City to southern New England.

The forecasted severe weather prompted significant action. Many schools in the Mid-Atlantic states closed early on Monday. In Washington, D.C., the House of Representatives postponed votes, and federal agencies advised workers to leave early. Officials in Raleigh and Chapel Hill, North Carolina, announced school closures for Monday, with the state's governor urging residents to enable emergency alerts for expected wind gusts of 74 mph (119 kph). Nationwide, storms led to over 3,000 flight cancellations on Monday.

Hawaii Flooding

Hawaii experienced severe rainfall, leading to widespread flooding on Maui, Molokai, and the Big Island. This resulted in flooded farmland and homes, road closures, and the opening of shelters. Approximately 40,000 to 48,000 utility customers in Hawaii were without power on Sunday. Some areas of Maui received over 20 inches (51 centimeters) of rain by late Saturday.

Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen reported that the rainfall led to "flooding, landslides, sinkholes, debris and downed power lines across the county."

National Guard members and fire department personnel conducted multiple floodwater rescues, and a part of a home in Maui’s Iao Valley collapsed due to rising water. Maui County later downgraded an evacuation notice as crews worked to pump water from retention basins.

Western U.S. Heatwave

In contrast to other regions, a heat dome over the Southwest caused temperatures to rise into triple digits in Arizona, which is earlier than typical for the region. Phoenix was expected to experience five consecutive days of temperatures above 100°F (37.8°C), an unusual occurrence for March. Much of California, including the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento, saw temperatures approaching 90°F (32°C) by midweek.

Post-Storm Conditions

Following the East Coast storms, forecasters anticipated sharply colder weather. By Tuesday morning, wind chills below freezing were expected to reach the Gulf Coast and the Florida Panhandle. Warnings were issued across the Southeast and parts of Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Texas. Heavy snow was also possible in the central Appalachians of West Virginia as rain transitioned to snow behind the cold front.