CIRA Satellite Library

A pair of powerful storms swept across North America in mid-March 2026, wrecking havoc with violent winds, severe weather, and winter storms and blizzards.

On March 12, 2026, a clipper low system moved across the northern US, creating an intense windstorm that brought very strong winds and wind gusts across the middle of the country, with the highest wind gusts reaching over 100 mph (160 km/h). The storm lead to many power outages, as well as travel issues which saw toppled vehicles and the closing of highways and interstates. The strong winds also aided in the rapid growth of several large wildfires in the High Plains. As the windy clipper system moved east, it also brought a winter storm to the Great Lakes region and Northeast US.

An even stronger system arrived right on the heels of the previous one, traversing the US from March 14-16. Partially fueled by moisture from the Pacific Ocean, This storm drenched the Pacific Northwest and set rainfall records. Along with delivering another fierce windstorm, this storm system also brought a major winter storm and blizzard to the Upper Midwest. In Michigan, power was knocked out to over 100,000 residents, while locations in the state’s Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin saw the heaviest snowfall amounts, exceeding 3 feet (0.91 m), as well as being the biggest winter storm for the Twin Cities of Minnesota for the 2025-2026 winter season.

Along with a blizzard in the north, the system also generated a severe weather outbreak as it swept across the central and eastern US, producing high damaging winds and dozens of tornadoes.

For more information, visit the Weather Prediction Center and the Storm Prediction Center.