Triple-Threat March Megastorm: Blizzard, dangerous winds to threaten nearly 200 million
Massive March Storm to Slam Central U.S.: Snow, Strong Winds, and Severe Weather Expected
A major storm system is set to intensify rapidly this weekend, stretching across the central United States from Sunday into Monday and affecting nearly 200 million people. The Upper Midwest is likely to see blizzard conditions and strong winds, while areas farther south and east will contend with thunderstorms, heavy rain, and gusty conditions.
Meteorologists say this event could rank among the most significant U.S. weather systems of the year.
“The storm has the potential to become a bomb cyclone, meaning its central pressure could drop 24 millibars—or 0.71 inches of mercury—within 24 hours,” said AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno. “This kind of rapid intensification would produce widespread and powerful winds.” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Matt Benz added that the system will pull in moisture from the Pacific, then draw additional moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic as it moves across the central and northeastern states.
The storm’s expansive winds are expected to impact multiple states, potentially leaving hundreds of thousands—or even millions—without power. This follows a recent strong windstorm that moved from the Rockies to the Northeast.
Air Travel Disruptions Likely
Flight cancellations and delays are already affecting thousands of passengers. By late Sunday morning, nearly 12,000 flights were delayed, and numbers are expected to climb through Monday. Major airport hubs—including Denver, Chicago, Detroit, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington, D.C., and Charlotte—could see widespread disruptions, with ripple effects at numerous connecting airports.
Schools in parts of the Midwest not on spring break may close early this week, and travelers returning from spring break should prepare for delays.
Blizzard Conditions in the Upper Midwest
“Monday’s travel will be particularly dangerous as heavy snow, strong winds, and bitter cold combine to create blizzard conditions across northern parts of the Mississippi Valley and the Great Lakes,” Rayno said. Temperatures in these areas could remain in the teens or single digits, with AccuWeather RealFeel® temperatures near or below zero.
The storm is expected to drop 1–3 feet of snow in a band stretching from Minneapolis and Green Bay, Wisconsin, to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Portions of Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, northern Illinois, and southeastern Minnesota may experience full blizzard conditions. Southern Michigan and areas near Chicago may see a mix of rain and snow before it changes to snow.
A strong Arctic cold front will push east through the Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee valleys Sunday night, reaching the Appalachians and the Atlantic Seaboard by Monday. Ahead of the front, temperatures will rise to unseasonably warm levels, with showers developing as Gulf and Atlantic moisture moves in.
Arctic Cold to Follow
After the storm passes, Arctic air will sweep through much of the Plains and Mississippi Valley, reaching the Appalachians by Monday night. While the cold air will weaken east of the mountains, parts of the Atlantic Seaboard may still experience some of the lowest temperatures seen in weeks between Tuesday and Thursday.
Warmth Persists in the Southwest
While the Midwest and central U.S. deal with a winter resurgence, the Southwest continues to see record-high temperatures following one of the warmest winters on record.
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