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

Powerful weather system brings hazardous conditions across multiple states

Mar. 16, 2026 at 11:18pm

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A powerful storm system is impacting the eastern half of the United States, bringing heavy snow, high winds, and the threat of tornadoes. The storm has already caused power outages, flight cancellations, and dangerous road conditions in the Upper Midwest, with the Mid-Atlantic and East Coast expected to see the worst of the severe weather on Monday.

Why it matters

This late-winter storm is disrupting travel, causing power outages, and raising concerns about public safety across a wide swath of the country. The threat of tornadoes in the Mid-Atlantic and East Coast is particularly concerning, as these types of storms can cause significant damage and loss of life.

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 U.S. on Monday. Areas from South Carolina to Maryland are at the greatest risk for the most intense winds and tornado activity. In the Upper Midwest, heavy snow and blizzard conditions are making roads impassable, leading to school closures and hundreds of flight cancellations.

  • The storm system began impacting the region on Sunday and is expected to continue through Tuesday.
  • The most severe weather is forecast to hit the Mid-Atlantic and East Coast on Monday afternoon.

The players

National Weather Service

The federal agency responsible for weather forecasting and issuing severe weather warnings.

Gov. Josh Stein

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

Jim Allen

A resident of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, who is preparing to clear heavy snow from his property.

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What they’re saying

“We're basically prepared to just kind of hunker down for a few days if we need to.”

— Jim Allen

“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

What’s next

The National Weather Service will continue to monitor the storm system and issue updates and warnings as the severe weather moves through the region. Officials in affected areas are urging residents to stay alert and heed any emergency instructions.

The takeaway

This late-winter storm serves as a reminder of the power and unpredictability of severe weather, and the importance of being prepared for potential disruptions to travel, power, and daily life. As climate change continues to influence weather patterns, events like this may become more common, underscoring the need for communities to have robust emergency preparedness plans in place.