Extreme Weather Hits U.S. from All Sides

Blizzards, polar vortex, heat dome, and atmospheric river all forecast to impact the country simultaneously

Mar. 13, 2026 at 6:03pm

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The United States is bracing for an unprecedented stretch of extreme weather, with nearly every region of the country set to experience a range of hazardous conditions over the coming days. From flooding rains in Hawaii to record-breaking heat in the Southwest, and from heavy snow in the Great Lakes to Arctic cold in the Midwest and East, the nation is facing an onslaught of weather extremes driven by a volatile jet stream.

Why it matters

The confluence of these extreme weather events, all occurring at the same time, highlights the growing challenges posed by climate change and the increasing frequency and intensity of severe weather. This will test the resilience of communities across the U.S. and put significant strain on emergency response and disaster recovery efforts.

The details

The weather pattern is being driven by a highly amplified jet stream that is bringing dramatic temperature swings and the potential for record-breaking conditions. A heat dome will bake the Southwest, with Phoenix forecast to reach 107°F, while the Midwest and East will be gripped by an invasion of Arctic air from the polar vortex. Two major winter storms will dump several feet of snow across the northern tier of states. Meanwhile, an atmospheric river is bringing flooding rains to Hawaii, and high winds in the Central Plains raise the risk of wildfires.

  • Early next week, a heat dome will form over the Southwest, bringing temperatures up to 107°F in Phoenix.
  • On Friday and Sunday-Monday, two winter storms will hit the northern Great Lakes region, potentially dumping 3-4 feet of snow.
  • Starting this weekend, the polar vortex is forecast to send Arctic air deep into the Midwest and East, with temperatures in the teens and 20s as far south as Atlanta.

The players

Marc Chenard

Meteorologist at the National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center.

Ryan Maue

Former chief scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Shane Dixon

A 40-year-old resident of Culver City, California who was out running despite the unusual March heat.

Jeff Masters

Meteorologist with Yale Climate Connections.

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What they’re saying

“All of the country, even if you're not necessarily seeing extremes, are going to see generally changing from cold to warm, or warm to cold to warm.”

— Marc Chenard, Meteorologist, National Weather Service (latimes.com)

“The back of my neck was melting. But I could go literally soak myself and walk out in the sun, and I'll make it home fine. If it was freezing cold, I could not do this.”

— Shane Dixon (latimes.com)

What’s next

Meteorologists will continue to closely monitor the progression of these extreme weather systems and provide updated forecasts and warnings to help communities prepare and respond effectively.

The takeaway

This confluence of extreme weather events across the U.S. underscores the growing threat posed by climate change, as rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns lead to more frequent and intense hazardous conditions that test the limits of our infrastructure and emergency response capabilities.