March 2026 North American blizzard

From March 13–17, 2026, a large and powerful extratropical cyclone produced a variety of significant weather across the Central United States and portions of southern Canada, consisting of a major and historic blizzard – which was unofficially referred to as Winter Storm Iona by the Weather Channel and other media – that affected much of the Upper Midwest and High Plains with up to 3–4 feet (36–48 in; 91–122 cm) of snow, an ice storm over northern Michigan and a severe weather outbreak consisting of damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes across the Lower Mississippi Valley, the Southeastern United States, the Carolinas, and the Mid Atlantic states. The overall system first moved onshore in the Pacific Northwest on March 13, dumping heavy snowfall primarily over the mountainous regions there. Emerging off the Rocky Mountains late on March 14, the storm strengthened as it moved northeastwards.

Widespread winter weather alerts, including winter storm warnings and blizzard warnings were issued from the state of Washington to Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Many governors, primarily in the Upper Midwest, issued states of emergencies as forecasts of 2–3 feet (24–36 in; 61–91 cm) were expected in the heaviest accumulations. Hundreds of flights were cancelled across the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin as well. On the severe side of the system, the Storm Prediction Center on March 15 issued an enhanced risk of severe weather across the South, with multiple tornado watches issued. The outbreak was expected to continue into the next day in the Carolinas and Mid-Atlantic, with a moderate risk of severe weather forecast.

As of March 16, at least three fatalities have been confirmed as a result of the winter weather side of the system, and at least 500,000 people were estimated to have lost power. Total damage costs were estimated to be approximately US$1.4 billion.