Severe Storms Batter Eastern US With Snow, High Winds, and Tornado Threat

Powerful weather system impacts Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast regions

Mar. 16, 2026 at 8:09am

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A powerful storm system is sweeping across the eastern United States, bringing heavy snow, high winds, and the threat of tornadoes. The storm has already caused widespread power outages, flight cancellations, and dangerous travel conditions in the Midwest, with the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions expected to be hit next. Officials are urging residents to prepare for the severe weather and enable emergency alerts on their phones.

Why it matters

This late-winter storm is disrupting travel, causing power outages, and raising the risk of property damage and injuries across a large swath of the country. The severe weather comes as Hawaii continues to deal with flooding from a separate storm system, underscoring the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.

The details

The storm system is expected to bring a line of severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and the potential for several tornadoes as it moves across the Eastern US. The areas most at risk include parts of South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and the Washington, D.C. region. In the Midwest, over 2 feet of snow is forecast for parts of Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula, while Chicago and Milwaukee are bracing for disruptive snowfall. Hundreds of flights have already been canceled at major airports in the affected regions.

  • The storm system fired up on Sunday and is crossing the Mississippi, Tennessee, and Ohio valleys.
  • The severe weather threat is expected to enter the Appalachians on Monday and move toward the East Coast.
  • The greatest risk for damaging winds and tornadoes is expected Monday afternoon in the area from South Carolina to Maryland.

The players

National Weather Service

The federal agency that issued the warnings about the severe storm system and its potential impacts.

Josh Stein

The governor of North Carolina, who urged residents to enable emergency alerts on their phones ahead of the expected high winds.

Tyler Roys

A senior meteorologist at AccuWeather who provided analysis on the storm's potential effects on major airports and transportation.

Jim Allen

A 45-year-old resident of Michigan's Upper Peninsula who was preparing to clear heavy snowfall from the storm.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.