Winter Storms, Tornado Warnings, and Heat Alerts Across the U.S.

The National Weather Service has issued a range of weather alerts as a major winter storm, severe thunderstorms, and an early heatwave impact different regions.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 3:21pm

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The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a variety of weather alerts across the United States, including warnings for winter storms, tornadoes, and extreme heat. A major winter storm is expected to bring heavy snow and strong winds to the upper Midwest and Great Lakes region, while severe thunderstorms and tornado watches are in effect for parts of the eastern U.S. Meanwhile, an early heatwave is impacting the Southwest, with extreme heat watches and warnings in place.

Why it matters

These weather events can pose significant risks to public safety, disrupt transportation and power, and have broader economic and social impacts. The NWS alerts are crucial for helping communities prepare and respond to these potentially dangerous conditions.

The details

The NWS Weather Prediction Center (WPC) said the winter storm is expected to bring an additional 4 to 8 inches of snow to parts of Michigan and Wisconsin, with up to 18 inches possible in the Upper Peninsula due to lake effect snow. Blizzard warnings have been issued for the Upper Peninsula, portions of Wisconsin, northwest Illinois, and eastern Iowa, while winter storm warnings are in place for parts of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Severe thunderstorms are also likely to sweep across the eastern U.S., with the highest threat over the interior Mid-Atlantic. Tornado watches span a swath of the country from northwest Florida through parts of Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. In the West, an 'anomalously early heatwave' is expected to bring temperatures 20 to 30 degrees above normal, reaching well into the 90s and even triple digits, with dozens of records expected to be broken.

  • The NWS issued the weather alerts on Monday, March 16, 2026.
  • The winter storm is expected to continue across the upper Midwest to the upper Great Lakes on Monday.
  • The severe thunderstorms are likely to sweep across the eastern U.S. late on Monday.
  • The heatwave in the Southwest is expected to intensify and expand eastward this week.

The players

National Weather Service (NWS)

The National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts, and warnings for the United States.

NWS Weather Prediction Center (WPC)

The NWS Weather Prediction Center is responsible for issuing forecasts and guidance for the contiguous United States.

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What’s next

The NWS will continue to monitor the weather conditions and issue updates and additional warnings as necessary.

The takeaway

These widespread weather alerts underscore the importance of staying informed and prepared for potentially dangerous conditions, whether it's winter storms, severe thunderstorms, or extreme heat. The NWS plays a critical role in helping communities stay safe and resilient in the face of these weather events.