Severe Weather Outbreak Heads Toward East Coast

Powerful winds, tornadoes expected to impact region on Monday

Mar. 15, 2026 at 10:48pm

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Another round of severe weather is headed from the Heartland to the East Coast, with powerful winds expected to impact the region on Monday. A renewed severe weather threat is ongoing in the U.S. as an intense blizzard sweeps through the Great Lakes region this weekend, with over 10,000 people currently without electricity in Michigan. On Sunday, a Level 3/5 severe risk is in place with the focus of 70 mph damaging winds and strong tornadoes. The severe threat increases to 4/5 on Monday as the same storm system brings intense thunderstorms overnight and a significant storm system sweeps across the East Coast, bringing dangerous winds and strong tornadoes.

Why it matters

This severe weather outbreak poses a significant threat to public safety across a wide swath of the Midwest and East Coast, with the potential for widespread power outages, property damage, and loss of life from the high winds and tornadoes. Proper preparation and emergency planning will be crucial for residents in the affected areas.

The details

The powerful winter storm is already approaching 2 feet of snow accumulation in both Wisconsin and Minnesota. On Sunday, a widespread line of intense thunderstorms, known as a squall line, is expected to form along a cold front and sweep through the Mid-South and Ohio Valley, potentially producing wind gusts of 60 to 70 mph. On Monday, the same storm system will bring intense thunderstorms overnight, and a significant storm system is expected to sweep across the East Coast, bringing dangerous winds over 70 mph and many long-track tornadoes.

  • On Sunday evening, a Level 3/5 severe risk is in place with the focus of 70 mph damaging winds and strong tornadoes.
  • On Monday, the severe threat increases to 4/5 as the same storm system brings intense thunderstorms overnight and a significant storm system sweeps across the East Coast.

The players

Gretchen Whitmer

The Governor of Michigan who has activated the State of Emergency Operations Center due to the life-threatening impacts of the blizzard and the risk of widespread outages.

FOX Forecast Center

The meteorologists at FOX Weather who are tracking the severe weather threat and providing updates on the developing situation.

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What they’re saying

“While the moisture isn't exceptionally deep, the sheer speed of the winds aloft is enough to overcome that limitation. As a result, a widespread line of intense thunderstorms, known as a squall line, is expected to form along a cold front and sweep through the Mid-South and Ohio Valley.”

— FOX Forecast Center (foxweather.com)

“These fast-moving storms will be moving over 60 mph and will give people very little time to react once warnings are issued.”

— FOX Forecast Center (foxweather.com)

What’s next

Residents in the affected areas should closely monitor weather forecasts and heed any warnings or advisories issued by local authorities. It is important to plan by stocking up on essential supplies, such as food, water, batteries for a flashlight and other essentials, in case of power outages.

The takeaway

This severe weather outbreak underscores the importance of being prepared for extreme weather events, which are becoming more frequent and intense due to the impacts of climate change. Proper preparation and emergency planning can help save lives and minimize the damage caused by these powerful storms.