Trending Now - Severe Winter Storm Disrupts Travel in Eastern US and Midwest

WHO:

Brian Hurley, meteorologist with the National Weather Service

Victor Gensini, meteorology professor at Northern Illinois University

Josh Stein, Governor of North Carolina

Richard Bissen, Mayor of Maui County

Jesse Wald, resident and real estate broker in Maui

Tyler Roys, senior meteorologist at AccuWeather

WHAT:

Over 2,000 flights were canceled nationwide on March 16th, 2026.

More than 350 flights were canceled at Chicago O’Hare International Airport.

200 flights were canceled at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

Blizzard conditions brought up to 2 feet (61 centimeters) of snow in parts of Wisconsin and Michigan.

Wind gusts in North Carolina were expected to top 70 mph (112 kph).

Areas of Maui received more than 20 inches (51 centimeters) of rain.

384 flights were canceled and 233 delayed at O’Hare within the past 24 hours.

23 flights were canceled and 115 delayed at Midway within the past 24 hours.

WHERE:

Eastern United States and Midwest

Washington, D.C.

Chicago, Illinois

North Carolina

Wisconsin

Michigan

Maui, Hawaii

WHEN:

March 16th, 2026

The winter weather advisory in Chicago will end at 1 p.m. on March 16th, 2026.

Additional snowfall was expected on March 16th, 2026.

WHY:

The chaotic weather was attributed to a clash of air masses, with winter conditions persisting in the North and warming in the South.

HOW:

The National Weather Service issued warnings for high winds and potential tornadoes.

Residents were urged to enable emergency alerts on their phones.

(UPDATED March 16, 2026 17:21 UTC)

Today, March 16, 2026, severe winter weather has led to the cancellation of over 2,000 flights across the nation, with more than 350 of those at Chicago O'Hare International Airport alone. Blizzard conditions are affecting parts of Wisconsin and Michigan, bringing up to 2 feet of snow, while North Carolina is bracing for wind gusts exceeding 70 miles per hour, and Maui has seen over 20 inches of rain. The National Weather Service has issued warnings for high winds and potential tornadoes, urging residents to enable emergency alerts on their phones as they navigate these challenging conditions.