Early March 2025 North American blizzard
A large-scale extratropical cyclone brought blizzard conditions across the Upper Midwest starting March 4, 2025, causing widespread gusty winds and several tornadoes. Developing on March 2, the system developed as a Colorado low and rapidly strengthened on March 4. Very gusty winds were prevalent due to the immense size and strength of the system as a result.
Over 400,000 power outages were reported to have been inflicted by the storm in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, and at least six people were killed, three in Nebraska and three in Mississippi. The storm was the first major weather event to hit the United States since the mass layoff of federal employees at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Meteorological synopsis
The Storm Prediction Center outlined an enhanced risk across portions of Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, far-western Georgia and northwestern Florida. Across portions of Texas and New Mexico, strong winds from the storm led the SPC to issue an extremely critical fire risk. An estimated 64 million people were under storm watches and warnings on March 4.The Weather Prediction Center had a 50% chance of significant winter precipitation accumulation as far as 5 days out for the Upper Peninsula of Michigan as well as eastern Canada.
Impacts
Alabama
The Alabama Emergency Management Agency reported that gusty winds, with sustained speeds of to and gusts reaching up to, led to numerous downed trees and power lines, particularly in central parts of the state.In Winston County, the storms uprooted trees and damaged structures. A large tree crashed into an occupied home in Haleyville; no injuries were reported. Structural damage occurred in Lynn, and multiple reports indicated trees and power lines down throughout the county. As of March 5, over 200 residents in Winston County and more than 350 in Marion County were without power.
The severe weather also led to widespread power outages across Alabama. At the height of the storms on March 4, approximately 88,000 customers experienced power interruptions.
In response to the extensive damage, cleanup efforts commenced promptly. Crews worked diligently to remove fallen trees, repair power lines, and restore services to affected communities.
Iowa
Pottawattamie County and the city of Council Bluffs declared snow emergencies ahead of heavy snow produced by the storm.Blizzard warnings were issued across the western and central parts of Iowa, with rain quickly transitioning to snow. Blizzard conditions were achieved over much of the warned area, with widespread wind gusts of leading to visibilities of less than half a mile in most locations, with a peak gust of in Lamoni. During the morning of March 5, a 15+ vehicle pileup occurred on I-35 in between Ames and Des Moines, leading to both directions of the interstate being shut down between those two cities. A separate pileup occurred on I-80 near Newton. I-80 west-bound was declared impassable between Avoca and Des Moines due to widespread zero visibility and drifting snow.
Prior to turning to snow, significant rain also fell across the state, with of total liquid in Ames and in Des Moines.
Illinois
The National Weather Service in Chicago reported that areas near and south of Interstate 80 received over of rain during this storm.In Alton, the area experienced a minor snowstorm on Wednesday, receiving less than an inch of snow. However, the accompanying winds caused more significant issues than the snow itself, including knocking down tree limbs, tossing trash cans, and overturning outdoor objects. Sporadic power outages were also reported in different areas due to the snow and wind.
Wind gusts up to occurred at Quad Cities International Airport in Rock Island County, Illinois, as did a low-pressure reading of, occurring at 4a.m. on March 5, the lowest pressure reading at the airport since March 1, 2007.
Kansas
Significant disruptions occurred in Finney County, where eleven semi-trucks were blown off the road, a building lost its roof, and a traffic light fell onto a vehicle—fortunately without injuries. Several trees fell, some onto houses, and numerous power lines and utility poles were downed. US-50/US-400 was closed between Deerfield and Lakin due to blowing dust. The hazardous conditions produced by the dust storm led to accidents, including a two-vehicle crash in Kearny. The storm's winds shattered vehicle windows at a Tyson Foods facility in Holcomb, likely due to flying tumbleweeds or gravel. In Douglas County, a semi-truck and trailer slid across US-56, blocking traffic for several hours amid slick roads and high winds. There was also approximately 2,300 power outages in the county seat of Lawrence. In Dorrance, a dust devil shattered the back window of a vehicle, and in Norton, strong winds blew a chimney cap off a house. The storm also produced blowing snow in Goodland, creating additional travel hazards.The strongest recorded wind gust in Kansas was near Hugoton, while Wichita experienced a gust of. An wind gust was recorded in the Garden City area. Rainfall in Chautauqua County reached and Elk County saw.
Louisiana
Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans were carried out earlier than usual ahead of the storm. In Natchitoches, high winds downed trees.Michigan
Frequent wind gusts of combined with the maximum recorded storm snowfall of 24 inches caused prolific blizzard conditions across northern Michigan. These conditions caused the closure of Michigan Technological University and Northern Michigan University on March 5th.Mississippi
Severe storms swept through Mississippi, causing three fatalities and widespread damage across multiple counties. The storms also produced an EF2 tornado in Wayne County and an EF1 tornado in George County as well as strong winds and heavy rain. The fatalities included two individuals in Madison County—one from a tree falling on their car and another from a downed power line—and a woman in Clarke County who died when a falling tree limb struck her.The storms damaged at least fourteen homes and six farms across Clarke, Harrison, Madison, Perry, Warren, and Wayne counties. Wayne County, in particular, experienced significant agricultural losses, impacting the local economy. At the height of the storms, over 38,000 residents were without power, with around 6,800 still affected the following day.
Recovery efforts are underway, with local and state emergency management agencies coordinating assistance.
Missouri
Dozens of vehicle accidents resulted in two injuries across Missouri. Wind gusts reached up to in Kansas City, with a gust recorded in Rosendale. Light snow was also reported in the area.New Mexico
A large dust cloud caused motor vehicle accidents in southern portions of the state of New Mexico. In Roswell, visibility dropped below.Texas
In North Texas, an EF1 tornado touched down in Irving, causing substantial structural damage. Hundreds of residents were evacuated from an apartment complex due to roof collapses and compromised structural integrity. Additionally, hurricane-force winds reaching up to were recorded at Dallas Love Field Airport, resulting in widespread power outages affecting approximately 318,000 customers. The severe winds also led to overturned 18-wheelers and roof damages in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. Plano West Senior High School experienced partial roof loss, leading to flooding in its sports facilities. Firefighters in Dallas responded to multiple incidents, including roof damage at an apartment complex, where a chimney fell over from the winds. A massive haboob enveloped the metroplex, reducing visibility and causing traffic accidents.In Central Texas and South Texas, high winds caused significant power outages and brush fires, with over 31,000 Austin residents left without electricity as of the afternoon of March 4. Austin Energy reported more than 140 active outages and 68 hazards, deploying all available crews to restore power. In San Antonio's southern region, the Calaveras Fire prompted the evacuation of approximately 182 homes. The fire consumed 284 acres before being fully contained by March 5, with no reported injuries. In Hays County, the Onion Creek Fire near Buda burned 190 acres and was 85% contained as of March 6. Temporary evacuations were lifted, but fire crews continued to monitor and secure the area. The Welder Complex Fire in San Patricio County, northeast of Sinton, affected 803 acres and reached 95% containment by March 6.
In Southeast Texas, a large dust cloud hit Houston, dropping visibility to as low as in some areas and causing poor air quality.