Severe Weather Batters Much of U.S. as Blizzards, Winds, and Storms Threaten

Dangerous conditions from the Midwest to the East Coast, with Hawaii also impacted by heavy rains and flooding

Mar. 15, 2026 at 9:06pm

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A powerful storm system has brought blizzard conditions to the Upper Midwest, with dangerous winds sweeping across the Plains and the threat of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes heading east. Parts of Hawaii have also been affected by severe flooding, with more than 20 inches of rain reported in some areas. Hundreds of flights have been canceled, and transportation officials have warned of hazardous road conditions across multiple states.

Why it matters

This severe weather event is impacting a large swath of the United States, disrupting travel, infrastructure, and daily life for millions of people. The combination of heavy snow, high winds, and the potential for tornadoes and thunderstorms raises concerns about public safety and the ability of communities to respond effectively.

The details

The storm system has dumped more than 20 inches of snow in parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin, leading to the cancellation of over 600 flights at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport. Blizzard warnings have been issued across the region, with transportation officials warning of worsening conditions and snow-covered roadways. In Nebraska, about 30 National Guard members have been deployed to help combat multiple wildfires that have damaged over 900 square miles of land. The threat of severe storms is expected to move eastward, with the mid-Atlantic states and Washington, D.C. at the greatest risk for high winds and tornadoes on Monday.

  • As of Sunday afternoon, more than 20 inches of snow had fallen in parts of southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin.
  • On Sunday, over 600 flights into and out of Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport were canceled.
  • On Saturday, more than 50,000 customers in Hawaii were without power due to the severe flooding.
  • On Friday, the force of the rising waters in Maui's Iao Valley caused part of a home to collapse.
  • On Sunday, a high-wind warning was issued for most of Nebraska, with wind gusts of up to 60 mph possible amid falling snow.

The players

AccuWeather

A leading weather forecasting and information services company.

National Weather Service

The primary weather forecasting agency for the United States.

Richard Bissen

The mayor of Maui County, Hawaii.

Tom and Carrie Bashaw

Residents of Maui's Iao Valley whose home was partially destroyed by the flooding.

Jesse Wald

A Maui resident and real estate broker who recorded video of a coastal road's collapse due to the flooding.

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What they’re saying

“Whether it's wind gusts from a squall line, blizzard or snow, or just wind because of the storm, you're looking at several major airports being impacted.”

— Tyler Roys, Senior Meteorologist, AccuWeather

“We're seeing flooding, landslides, sinkholes, debris and downed power lines across the county.”

— Richard Bissen, Mayor of Maui County, Hawaii

“In the 20 years I've been here I've never seen this much rain. I'm from Wisconsin and we get thunderstorms, you know, pretty often in the summer, so it felt like a Wisconsin thunderstorm but times 10.”

— Jesse Wald, Maui Resident and Real Estate Broker

What’s next

The National Weather Service has warned that a line of severe storms with damaging winds will cross much of the Eastern U.S. by late Monday, with the mid-Atlantic states and Washington, D.C. at the greatest risk for high winds and tornadoes.

The takeaway

This severe weather event highlights the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather patterns across the United States, underscoring the need for communities to be prepared and resilient in the face of such challenges. The disruption to travel, infrastructure, and daily life serves as a reminder of the significant impact that these storms can have on the lives of millions of people.