Trending Now - Severe Weather Alerts: Snow, Wind, and Thunderstorms Looming Across the U.S.
WHO:
AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tyler Roys
Wisconsin snowplow driver Aaron Haas
Jim Allen, 45, resident of Michigan's Upper Peninsula
Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen
Tom and Carrie Bashaw, residents of Maui
Jesse Wald, Maui resident and real estate broker
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen
WHAT:
An area from central Wisconsin to Michigan's Upper Peninsula is likely to see over 2 feet (60 centimeters) of snow, with higher isolated totals on the peninsula.
More than 40,000 electric customers in Hawaii were without power by midday on March 15th, 2026.
The National Weather Service warned of severe thunderstorms with widespread damaging winds and several tornadoes expected on March 17th, 2026.
A high-wind warning was issued for most of Nebraska on March 15th, 2026, with gusts of up to 60 mph (97 kph) possible amid falling snow.
A powerful storm chain brought blizzard conditions to the Upper Midwest and severe storms to the Eastern U.S.
Over 20 inches (51 centimeters) of snow fell in southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin.
More than 600 flights were canceled at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport on March 15th, 2026.
More than 850 flight cancellations were reported at O'Hare and Midway international airports in Chicago.
Over 50,000 electric customers in Hawaii were without power as of March 15th, 2026.
More than 210,000 utility customers in six Great Lakes states were without electricity as of March 15th, 2026.
Three of the largest wildfires in Nebraska had damaged over 900 square miles (2,331 square kilometers) as of March 14th, 2026.
One fire-related fatality was reported in Nebraska on March 14th, 2026.
WHERE:
The storm threat was expected to enter the Appalachians early on March 16th, 2026, then move toward the East Coast, affecting areas from parts of South Carolina to Maryland.
Upper Midwest, including central Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula
Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, Minnesota
O'Hare and Midway international airports, Chicago, Illinois
Hawaii, including Maui, Molokai, and the Big Island
Nebraska, specifically areas affected by wildfires
WHEN:
The severe weather was expected to begin on March 15th, 2026, and continue into March 17th, 2026.
Severe weather began impacting the U.S. on March 15th, 2026.
The National Weather Service warned of severe storms expected to cross the Eastern U.S. by March 17th, 2026.
Rainfall in Hawaii was reported at 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 centimeters) per hour overnight on March 14th, 2026.
Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen reported over 20 inches (51 centimeters) of rain in some areas on March 14th, 2026.
WHY:
The severe weather was caused by a powerful storm chain affecting multiple regions across the U.S.
HOW:
National Guard members were deployed in Nebraska to combat multiple wildfires across a broad swath of range and grassland.
National Guard members were deployed in Nebraska to combat wildfires.
Emergency alerts were urged by the governor of North Carolina ahead of expected wind gusts of 74 mph (119 kph).
(UPDATED March 16, 2026 07:18 UTC)
A major winter storm is set to blanket an area from central Wisconsin to Michigan's Upper Peninsula with over 2 feet of snow, while severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are expected to hit the East Coast starting March 17. Meanwhile, over 40,000 electric customers in Hawaii were without power by midday on March 15, and a high-wind warning was issued for most of Nebraska, where gusts could reach up to 60 miles per hour amid falling snow. In response to multiple wildfires across the state, National Guard members have been deployed in Nebraska to assist with the situation.
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(UPDATED March 16, 2026 05:37 UTC)
A powerful storm chain has brought blizzard conditions to the Upper Midwest and severe storms to the Eastern U.S., with over 20 inches of snow reported in southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. As of March 15, more than 600 flights were canceled at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, while over 850 cancellations were reported at O'Hare and Midway airports in Chicago, and over 50,000 electric customers in Hawaii were without power. In Nebraska, wildfires have damaged over 900 square miles, leading to one reported fatality, as National Guard members have been deployed to combat the blazes.