Severe Weather Impacts Millions Across the U.S.

Tue Mar 17 2026 20:19:45 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Tornadoes, blizzards, and thunderstorms are causing widespread disruptions across the eastern United States, affecting millions and leading to significant flight cancellations and power outages.

A severe weather system is hitting the U.S., bringing tornado watches, blizzard conditions, and thunderstorms. Over 34 million people are impacted, with significant snowfall in the northern states, and travel disruptions due to flight cancellations and power outages. Authorities are on high alert as the storm progresses, predicting dangerous conditions in multiple states.

Tornadoes, thunderstorms and blizzard conditions are forecast to pummel parts of the eastern US. More than 34 million people were under tornado watches from Florida to New Jersey. Additionally, nearly 3 feet (0.9m) of snow has fallen in Minnesota, Wisconsin and northern Michigan since the storm began this weekend, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

The bulk of the storm is expected to churn off the east coast into the Atlantic by Tuesday, with abnormally cold weather to follow in its wake. Over 11 million people are under blizzard warnings, and another four million are under winter storm warnings, according to coverage from CBS.

By Monday evening, nearly 4,600 flights had been cancelled and almost 11,300 delayed, with the bulk of disruptions occurring at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport and LaGuardia in New York. In addition, more than 406,000 customers were without power, particularly in Michigan, Virginia, and North Carolina.

Severe thunderstorms were expected in parts of North Carolina, South Carolina and West Virginia, where NWS predicted hail and potential tornadoes. Tornado warnings were issued in northern Virginia and the Florida panhandle.

In the face of significant snow accumulation, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has authorized the National Guard to assist with emergency operations. Travel conditions are expected to be hazardous, with the NWS warning of whiteout conditions that could make travel life-threatening.

Furthermore, Canadians are facing severe weather, particularly in central Ontario and southwestern Quebec, predicting heavy snowfall and strong winds. On the West Coast, an extreme heat watch is expected due to rising temperatures, posing risks related to heat-related illnesses and wildfires.

This severe weather event could potentially affect approximately 200 million people across multiple states, marking it as one of the most significant weather occurrences in 2023.