Over 100 million residents in the United States are expected to find themselves in the path of a powerful March storm beginning Friday. This expansive, multi-day weather event is set to unleash a variety of elements, including fires, blizzards, tornadoes, and flooding, as it makes its way eastward across the Great Plains.
Experts have remarked on the storm’s strength and its potential widespread effects, though they note its timing is not particularly out of the ordinary. Spring often brings extreme weather, as storms thrive on the significant temperature differences between the budding warmth and the persisting winter chill.
“This is the time of year when a storm with national impacts like this can occur,” explained Benjamin Reppert, a meteorologist from Penn State University.
The National Weather Service anticipates strong winds starting Friday, spanning from the Canadian border down to the Rio Grande, with gusts potentially reaching 80 mph (130 kph). This raises a considerable fire risk across Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. Further north, a winter surge is predicted, impacting parts of the Rockies and Northern Plains, possibly bringing blizzard conditions to the Dakotas and Minnesota.
From the Gulf Coast up to Wisconsin, severe thunderstorms could develop, with risks of producing tornadoes and hailstones. As the weekend progresses, these severe storms are predicted to move through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and eventually into Florida. Flooding remains a concern from the Central Gulf Coast stretching to the upper Ohio Valley.
By Sunday, the volatile weather is expected to reach the East Coast, bringing strong winds and potential flash flooding in isolated areas. Heavy rainfall is predicted along the Interstate 95 corridor, extending south to Jacksonville, Florida.
Reppert indicated that the temperatures in the upper atmosphere across much of central and eastern U.S. are nearing record highs for this time of year. Meanwhile, the western U.S. is experiencing one of the coolest air masses recorded for this region and season. This contrast may contribute to the storm’s anticipated intensity.
Russ Schumacher, a climatologist from Colorado State University, mentioned the possibility of the storm evolving into a bomb cyclone by Friday afternoon or evening. This classification occurs when a storm intensifies rapidly, causing the atmospheric pressure to drop a certain amount within 24 hours, resulting in stronger winds and more intense rainfall.
In addition to the influence of significant temperature variability, the jet stream will play a critical role in shaping the storm. In its typical seasonal position, the jet stream is dipping southward across the U.S., facilitating the lifting of air and moisture that will eventually return as precipitation.
The storm is also expected to draw in heat and moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, which is currently 2 to 4 degrees Fahrenheit (1.1 to 2.2 degrees Celsius) warmer than historical averages.
“We have this mix of perfect conditions,” stated Ryan Torn, a professor of atmospheric and environmental sciences at the University at Albany, referring to the atmospheric elements that are expected to strengthen the storm’s impact.
