Extreme Weather Threatens Over Half of US

Heatwaves, blizzards, storms, and wildfires impact millions across the country

Mar. 17, 2026 at 5:04am

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Chaotic weather conditions on Monday put more than half the US population in the path of extreme weather, from heatwaves in California to blizzards in the Midwest and storms on the East Coast. Over 4,700 flights were canceled, schools closed early, and communities faced flooding, wildfires, and the potential for tornadoes and high winds.

Why it matters

The simultaneous occurrence of these diverse extreme weather events across such a wide geographic area underscores the increasing volatility of the climate and the potential for widespread disruption to daily life and infrastructure. As these types of events become more frequent, communities will need to find ways to better prepare and mitigate the impacts.

The details

The storm system brought heavy rain and tornado warnings to the East Coast, while a heatwave in the Southwest pushed temperatures towards triple digits. In Hawaii, torrential rains triggered landslides and flooding, and in Nebraska, wildfires consumed over 1,140 square miles of grassland. Meteorologists reported that over 100 million people were experiencing some form of severe weather on Monday.

  • On Monday, the chaotic weather conditions impacted over half the US population.
  • Since Saturday, nearly 3 feet of snow had fallen in northern Wisconsin.
  • On Sunday, four tornadoes were confirmed in Missouri, causing roof and tree damage.
  • This week, Phoenix is expected to have five straight days of triple-digit temperatures.

The players

Brian Hurley

A National Weather Service meteorologist who stated that over 100 million people were experiencing some kind of severe weather.

Dan DePodwin

An AccuWeather meteorologist who described the heatwave in the Southwest as "a heat wave that we have not seen before in recorded history".

Karen Bass

The Mayor of Los Angeles, who stated that the heatwave is "a sign of how climate change is impacting our city".

Richard Bissen

The Mayor of Maui, who reported no injuries or deaths from the flooding and damage in Hawaii.

Jim Pillen

The Governor of Nebraska, who said "Mother Nature is throwing a doozy at us" in reference to the wildfires in the state.

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What they’re saying

“This is technically still winter...this is not normal for March, obviously, but it is a sign of how climate change is impacting our city.”

— Karen Bass, Mayor of Los Angeles (newsy-today.com)

“Mother Nature is throwing a doozy at us.”

— Jim Pillen, Governor of Nebraska (newsy-today.com)

“a heat wave that we have not seen before in recorded history in the Southwest.”

— Dan DePodwin, AccuWeather meteorologist (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

Forecasters said the East Coast storms are expected to be followed by sharply colder weather, with rain changing to snow in the central Appalachians of West Virginia.

The takeaway

As these types of extreme weather events become more frequent due to climate change, communities across the country will need to find innovative ways to better prepare for and mitigate the widespread disruption to daily life, infrastructure, and the economy.