On March 12, severe weather impacted much of the United States, with a mix of blizzards in the Northwest, oppressive heat in the Southwest, and winds reaching up to 90 mph in areas east of the Rockies. This chaotic weather pattern led to significant temperature fluctuations along the East Coast.
Looking ahead, more unpredictable weather is on the horizon. Meteorologist Bob Oravec from the National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center has warned that blizzard conditions are anticipated over the weekend of March 14-15 in the Northern Plains and Great Lakes regions. Additionally, more storms and cold fronts are expected to sweep through the Eastern states.
Earlier in the week, severe storms had already caused deadly tornadoes and six-inch hail in parts of Indiana and Illinois. Following these events, a strong weather front moved through the East on March 12, drastically altering conditions in the Washington, D.C. and Maryland areas. At Reagan National Airport, the temperature dropped from a balmy 77 degrees at 2 a.m. to heavy snowfall by 2 p.m., with snow accumulation noticeable in grassy areas. This shift set a new record for the highest temperature recorded on a day when snow was also observed, surpassing the previous record by over 10 degrees.
Oravec remarked, "We went from summer weather to winter weather in less than 24 hours. It was pretty dramatic." He further noted, "This time of year often brings such stark contrasts, but it is rare to see temperatures approach 80 degrees one day and snowfall the next."
Southeastern Storms
On March 12, high winds and uprooted trees caused widespread damage across Georgia and the Carolinas, particularly along the North Carolina coastline. In Bayboro, Pamlico County, several structures were reported damaged, and at least one injury resulted from the storms. At one point, over two-thirds of the county experienced power outages, according to outage trackers. Meteorologists from the local weather service office in Morehead City are set to assess the storm damage, particularly where a suspected tornado may have touched down. They cautioned that distinguishing between damage caused by high winds and potential tornado activity could be challenging.
Other reported damages included:
- Irmo, South Carolina: Multiple trees down and structural damage to homes.
- Greenville, North Carolina: A partially collapsed home under construction.
- Ashton, Georgia: Two individuals injured due to an overturned shed.
Western U.S. Experiences High Winds
High wind advisories have been issued for parts of the western United States, including Colorado, Montana, and the Dakotas. Notably, Pinnacle in Montana's Flathead County recorded a wind gust of 99 mph. In Colorado, at least seven counties experienced gusts exceeding 75 mph, including a peak gust of 92 mph in Sunshine, Boulder County. As a result of the high winds, Colorado State University decided to close early on March 12 and will remain closed on March 13 to evaluate damage in the Fort Collins area.
Weekend Weather Forecast
Looking ahead, Oravec predicts a significant snowstorm and blizzard conditions are likely to affect the northern Plains and Great Lakes this weekend. Meanwhile, an upper-level ridge is expected to push temperatures to new highs in much of California and across the Southwest next week.
As the weather continues to shift dramatically across the nation, residents are urged to remain vigilant and prepared for severe changes in conditions.
Source: USA TODAY News