The snowstorm of March 14 to 17, 2026

The Regional Snowfall Index is NOAA’s ranking of snowstorms east of the Rockies by how much snow fell, over how wide an area and on how many people, region by region: the area and the population above four snowfall thresholds set for each region, weighted against that region’s own history. A storm is scored in each region it reached, on a scale from 1, notable, to 5, extreme.

Events

597

Deaths

0

Injuries

3

Damage

$240,000

Episodes

56

Every winter weather episode the Weather Service filed east of the Rockies in these dates. A few may belong to another system on the same days. Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

• Winter Storm in Michigan, March 12 to 13, 202615 eventsA strong clipper low tracked through the Upper Great Lakes, bringing widespread heavy snowfall which transitioned to lake enhanced/effect as the storm progressed. Over a foot of snow fell at several locations.
• Heavy Snow in Wisconsin, March 12 to 13, 20265 eventsLow pressure moved from the Northern Rockies the morning of the 12th to the Upper Great Lakes the morning of the 13th and deepened as it moved east. This brought heavy snowfall to the region starting the afternoon/evening of the 12th and continued into the morning of the 13th.
• Winter Storm in Wisconsin, March 12 to 13, 20261 eventA compact low pressure system moved through the region from the evening hours of March 12th to the morning on March 13th. As this moved northward, a band of heavy snow moved through Taylor County bringing heavy snow accumulations to the area.
• Winter Storm in Wisconsin, March 12 to 13, 202614 eventsA clipper system tracking through the western Great Lakes Thursday evening (3/12) through Friday morning (3/13) brought a swath of heavy snow to northern Wisconsin. Snowfall totals were generally 6 to 10 inches across northern and portions of central Wisconsin.
• Winter Storm in Michigan, March 12 to 14, 20265 eventsPotent low pressure crossed northern Michigan on the morning of the 13th. Between the initial round of snow in the morning, and a secondary burst of snow in the afternoon, several inches of heavy, wet snow accumulated across the area, accompanied by gusty winds.
• Winter Storm and High Wind in New York, March 13 to 14, 202655 kt wind · 11 eventsA potent clipper low brought rain and/or snow to the Western and North Central New York areas, along with windy conditions. Most of the lower elevations remain primarily as rain, but mixing with and changing to snow at times did allow for some light accumulations.
• Winter Weather in New York, March 13 to 14, 20261 eventA clipper system moved across the Great Lakes on the morning of Friday the 13th. Warmer air ahead of the system brought a mix of rain and snow to the lower elevations of the Southern Tier, while higher elevations saw all snow.
• Winter Storm and Strong Wind in New York, March 13 to 14, 202615 eventsA clipper system crossed eastern New York on March 13-14, 2026 bringing periods of snow and strong winds. The heaviest snow fell across portions of the southern Adirondacks with amounts ranging from 4 to 10 inches.
• Winter Storm in Wisconsin, March 14 to 16, 2026$150,000 · 13 eventsA historic and complex winter storm moved into western Wisconsin during the late evening hours on March 14th and continued through the morning on March 16th.
• Heavy Snow in North Dakota, March 14 to 15, 202613 eventsAn upper level low pressure system passing from the Northern Rockies through the Northern Plains resulted in snow developing, with heavy snow over portions of southwest and south central North Dakota. The greatest snow report of ten inches occurred at Gladstone in Stark County.
• Winter Storm in Minnesota, March 14 to 16, 20263 injured · $20,000 · 7 eventsDuring the late evening hours on March 14th, a narrow band of snow developed across portions of southeast MN with snowfall rates rapidly increasing through the early morning hours on March 15th.
• Blizzard and Winter Storm in Minnesota, March 14 to 16, 202642 eventsA large scale spring storm brought a round of heavy snow to the Upper Mississippi Valley from Saturday, March 14th through Sunday, March 15th. The footprint of the greatest totals stretched from southeast MN into central WI, where many places saw at least a foot of snowfall.
• Blizzard and Winter Storm in Wisconsin, March 14 to 16, 20269 eventsA large scale spring storm brough a round of heavy snow to the Upper Mississippi Valley from Saturday, March 14th through Sunday, March 15th. The footprint of the greatest totals stretched from southeast MN into central WI, where many places saw at least a foot of snowfall.
• Heavy Snow in South Dakota, March 14 to 15, 20262 eventsA system brought locally heavy snow and strong winds ranging from 45 to 55 mph to northeast South Dakota. Due to deteriorating conditions on March 14th, Interstate 29 north of Watertown and several highways across the northeast and north central parts of the state were closed.
• Blizzard and Winter Storm in Wisconsin, March 14 to 16, 2026$47,000 · 24 eventsA historic, record-setting winter storm impacted northeast Wisconsin from Saturday evening (3/14), through Monday evening (3/16).
• Winter Weather in Wisconsin, March 14 to 15, 20267 eventsA frontal boundary with warm air rising just above the surface produced an east-west swath of 1 to 4 inches of snow and a light glaze of ice due to freezing rain over portions of central Wisconsin. Roads became snow covered and slick during the late evening and overnight hours.
• Heavy Snow in Wisconsin, March 14 to 16, 20267 eventsAn area of low pressure developed across the Southern Plains on the 14th and moved northeastward into the Great Lakes by the morning of the 16th. Additionally, a weak cold front dropped south out of Canada ahead of this system.
• Heavy Snow and High Wind in Minnesota, March 14 to 16, 202650 kt wind · 3 eventsAn area of low pressure developed across the Southern Plains on the 14th and moved northeastward into the Great Lakes by the morning of the 16th. Additionally, a weak cold front dropped south out of Canada ahead of this system.
• Blizzard and Winter Storm in Michigan, March 15 to 17, 202628 eventsLow pressure developed over the central US overnight on the 14th into the 15th, resulting in a first round of snowfall across northern Michigan on the morning of the 15th.
• Blizzard and Winter Storm in Michigan, March 15 to 17, 202614 eventsA powerful blizzard tracked through the Upper Great Lakes, bringing widespread blizzard conditions, with high winds and heavy snow to the U.P. Portions of the central and eastern U.P. experienced up to 4 feet of snowfall.
• Blizzard and High Wind in South Dakota, March 15, 202651 kt wind · 28 eventsFrom March 15 through the early hours of March 16, a low-pressure system rapidly intensified over the Central Plains, generating a powerful wind field with gusts reaching 45 to 65 mph.
• Blizzard and High Wind in Minnesota, March 15 to 16, 202614 eventsFrom March 15 through the early hours of March 16, a low-pressure system rapidly intensified over the Central Plains, generating a powerful wind field with gusts reaching 45 to 65 mph.
• Blizzard and High Wind in Nebraska, March 15 to 16, 202654 kt wind · 23 eventsOn March 15, 2026, strong non-thunderstorm wind gusts impacted eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa. During the morning hours, a deepening mid-level trough moved into the region and intensified an existing surface low pressure system.
• Blizzard and High Wind in Iowa, March 15 to 16, 202619 eventsFrom March 15 through the early hours of March 16, a low-pressure system rapidly intensified over the Central Plains, generating a powerful wind field with gusts reaching 45 to 65 mph.
• Winter Weather in Wisconsin, March 15 to 16, 20265 eventsLight to moderate precipitation tracking through central Wisconsin where surface temperatures were below freezing produced freezing rain and sleet in the late morning and early afternoon.
• Blizzard and High Wind in Nebraska, March 15, 20264 eventsFrom March 15 through the early hours of March 16, a low-pressure system rapidly intensified over the Central Plains, generating a powerful wind field with gusts reaching 45 to 65 mph.
• Winter Weather in Nebraska, March 15, 20261 eventAfter a widespread strong wind event impacted western Nebraska, a cold front moved south across the region produce areas of light to occasionally moderate snowfall, mainly between Chadron and Alliance Nebraska.
• Blizzard and Winter Weather in Iowa, March 15 to 16, 20268 eventsAfter a transition over to snow during the afternoon on March 15th, a secondary round of snow moved into northeast Iowa with winds increasing to 30 to 40 mph.
• Blizzard and Winter Weather in Illinois, March 15 to 16, 202613 eventsA large storm system moved across the Midwest March 15 to the 16th, initially bringing rain and thunderstorms to the area on the morning of the 15th. This storm system intensified rapidly into the evening drawing much colder air into the region.
• Blizzard in Iowa, March 15 to 16, 202621 eventsA large storm system moved across the Midwest March 15 to the 16th, initially bringing rain and thunderstorms to the area on the morning of the 15th. This storm system intensified rapidly into the evening drawing much colder air into the region.
• Winter Weather in Missouri, March 15 to 16, 20262 eventsA large storm system moved across the Midwest March 15 to the 16th, initially bringing rain and thunderstorms to the area on the morning of the 15th. This storm system intensified rapidly into the evening drawing much colder air into the region.
• Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Illinois, March 15 to 16, 202622 eventsHeavy snow fell over much of northwest Illinois during the early morning of March 16th, where a swath of 6 to 9 inches of snow fell.
• Blizzard in Illinois, March 15 to 16, 20262 eventsA strong low pressure system (987 mb) moved across Illinois on Sunday, March 15, 2026, sending a robust cold front sweeping across the state during the evening. Following the cold frontal passage, much colder air moved into the region, resulting in rain changing to snow.
• Blizzard in Wisconsin, March 15 to 16, 202620 eventsA band of moderate to heavy snow moved across southern Wisconsin on the back side of a strong low pressure system moving into Lower Michigan, bringing a wide range of 4 to 16 inches of snow accumulation to southern Wisconsin.
• Heavy Snow and Damaging Winds in Tennessee, March 15 to 17, 202667 kt wind · 29 eventsA strong cold front produced a low end squall line of thunderstorms, which in turn produced several reports of damaging winds. After the cold front's passage, a much colder airmass moved in and snow showers developed, leading to light snowfall for much of northeastern Tennessee.
• Winter Weather in Illinois, March 15 to 16, 202617 eventsA strong low pressure system (987 mb) moved across Illinois on Sunday, March 15, 2026, sending a robust cold front sweeping across the state during the evening. Following the cold frontal passage, much colder air moved into the region, resulting in rain changing to snow.
• Heavy Snow and Damaging Winds in Kentucky, March 16 to 17, 2026$23,000 · 54 kt wind · 21 eventsA powerful storm system caused a rapid transition from record-nearing warmth to winter conditions across eastern Kentucky on March 16th.
• Heavy Snow and Damaging Winds in Virginia, March 16 to 17, 202652 kt wind · 8 eventsA strong cold front produced a low end squall line of thunderstorms, which in turn produced several reports of damaging winds. After the cold front's passage, a much colder airmass moved in and snow showers developed, leading to light snowfall for much of southwestern Virginia.
• Winter Weather in Indiana, March 16 to 17, 20265 eventsScattered snow showers moved across northwest Indiana beginning in the early morning of March 16th and continuing through the early morning of March 17th. Snowfall amounts were generally 1 to 3 inches.
• Sleet in Mississippi, March 16, 20265 eventsLight snow showers occurred for a few hours during the early morning hours of March 16 2026 across several areas in MS.
• Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Michigan, March 16 to 17, 20263 eventsIn the wake of a cold front that produced widespread 60 mph wind gusts and severe thunderstorms, lake effect snow developed. The combination of moderate to heavy lake effect snow and strong winds produce hazardous travel conditions.
• Winter Weather in Indiana, March 16 to 17, 20262 eventsIn the wake of a cold front that produced widespread 60 mph wind gusts and severe thunderstorms, lake effect snow developed. Periods of significantly reduced visibilities were noted well inland across portions of La Porte, St.
• Winter Weather in Virginia, March 16 to 17, 20262 eventsOne last burst of winter weather for the season took place across southwest Virginia beginning on the afternoon of March 16th in the wake of a cold front.
• Heavy Snow and Winter Weather in West Virginia, March 16 to 17, 202639 eventsA strong low pressure system that promoted strong to severe thunderstorms across West Virginia early in the day on March 16th quickly shifted gears into winter weather as a surge colder temperatures filtered into the region.
• Heavy Snow and Winter Weather in Ohio, March 16 to 17, 20269 eventsA sharp cold frontal passage on March 16th in southeast brought the last surge of winter weather in the form of snow. Precipitation transitioned from rain to snow on the afternoon of the 16th and prevailed into the next day.
• Winter Weather in North Carolina, March 16 to 17, 20266 eventsPlummeting snow levels in the wake of a cold front interacted with strong northwest upslope flow to result in snow shower development beginning during the afternoon of the 16th across the counties bordering Tennesse.
• Winter Weather in Ohio, March 16, 20265 eventsLight to moderate snow in a post-frontal, cold advection regime brought generally 3-5 inches of accumulation with as high as 8.5 inches in Eastern Tucker County, WV.
• Winter Weather in West Virginia, March 16 to 17, 20263 eventsA strong area of low pressure moved to the northeast ushering in cold air across the Alleghenies. This transitioned rain to snow during the late afternoon of March 16th as a secondary area of low pressure developed.
• Winter Weather in Maryland, March 16 to 17, 20263 eventsA strong area of low pressure moved to the northeast ushering in cold air across the Alleghenies. This transitioned rain to snow during the late afternoon of March 16th as a secondary area of low pressure developed.
• Winter Weather in Virginia, March 16 to 17, 20261 eventA strong area of low pressure moved to the northeast ushering in cold air across the Alleghenies. This transitioned rain to snow during the late afternoon of March 16th as a secondary area of low pressure developed.
• Winter Storm and Winter Weather in West Virginia, March 16 to 17, 20265 eventsLight to moderate snow in a post-frontal, cold advection regime brought generally 3-5 inches of accumulation with as high as 8.5 inches in Eastern Tucker County, WV.
• Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Pennsylvania, March 16 to 17, 202610 eventsLight to moderate snow in a post-frontal, cold advection regime brought generally 3-5 inches of accumulation with as high as 8.5 inches in Eastern Tucker County, WV.
• Lake-Effect Snow in New York, March 17 to 18, 20261 eventLake-effect snow showers developed Tuesday afternoon on the 17th as westerly flow was in place and colder air moved into the regio.
• Lake-Effect Snow in New York, March 17 to 18, 20261 eventA pair of cold fronts brought abnormally cold temperatures on March 17th and 18th. The cool temperatures over the warmer lake waters of both Lake Erie and Lake Ontario setup a lake response off of the lakes, but conditions over and lee of Lake Ontario were more favorable.
• Winter Weather in Pennsylvania, March 17, 20262 eventsIn the wake of a cold frontal passage that also produced severe thunderstorms the day prior, ample northwesterly flow off of Lake Erie allowed for lake effect snow showers across much of northern and western Pennsylvania during the morning and afternoon hours of March 17, 2026.
• Winter Weather in Pennsylvania, March 17, 20262 eventsAhead of an arctic cold front arriving from the northwest, heavy snow showers and embedded snow squalls developed across western Pennsylvania.

The snowstorm of February 22 to 24, 2026Snow nowEvery winter storm filed

NOAA NCEI Regional Snowfall Index, and the Storm Events Database for the episodes.