Powerful spring storm to bring widespread hazards across the central U.S.
A powerful spring storm is expected to develop over the Central Plains on Monday, March 3, 2025, bringing severe weather, including blizzards, high winds, critical fire weather and flash flooding, as it moves toward the Great Lakes.
National Forecast Chart for March 3, 2025. Image credit: NWS
A powerful low-pressure system is forecast to develop over the Central Plains on Monday, March 3, and strengthen to near-record levels for March.
The storm will track through the Midwest toward the Great Lakes from Tuesday to Wednesday, March 4–5, bringing blizzard conditions, high winds, and flash flooding. Additional severe weather threats include dust storms and critical fire weather in the central United States.
Blizzard conditions are expected across parts of the Central Plains and Upper Midwest from Monday through Wednesday. The strongest winds and critical fire weather conditions are anticipated in the Central and Southern High Plains on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.
The risk of flash flooding and severe weather will be elevated across parts of the Southern Plains, Mid-South, and Corn Belt on Monday and Tuesday.
Strong winds combined with snowfall are expected to create blizzard conditions from the Central Plains into the Midwest, with visibility potentially dropping to near zero.
Severe thunderstorms may produce strong winds exceeding 96 km/h (60 mph) in the Southern Plains and Mid-South. Gusts of up to 130 km/h (80 mph), combined with low humidity, will create critical fire weather conditions from Monday through Tuesday in the Southern High Plains. Dust storms and reduced visibility are expected across the region.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has advised against travel during this period due to hazardous conditions caused by low visibility and severe weather across the affected regions. “There is no safe place on a highway during blizzard, dust storm or severe thunderstorm. In areas with heavy rainfall covering roads, turn around, don’t drown.”
Considering the high wind speeds forecast, power outages are expected.
References:
1 Short-Range Forecast Discussion – NWS/WPC – March 2, 2025
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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