Blizzards and tornadoes reported as powerful winter storm sweeps across the Plains and Midwest
A powerful winter storm swept through the Plains and Midwest on March 19, 2025, producing eight reported tornadoes in Illinois and severely disrupting travel. Whiteout conditions led to multiple crashes in Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska, forcing closures on major highways, including I-70 and I-80.
White out conditions in Nebraska on March 19, 2025. Image credit: Nebraska Department of Transportation
Eight tornadoes were reported in Illinois on March 19 as a powerful winter storm moved through the Plains and Midwest, bringing severe weather conditions across multiple states.
A Tornado Watch was in effect for northern and central Illinois, as well as western Indiana, through Wednesday night. Another Tornado Watch covered parts of southern Illinois, southern Indiana, and western and central Kentucky during the same period.
The tornadoes and severe weather caused widespread damage across the region, though the impact was less severe than last week’s outbreak, which claimed over 40 lives across the U.S. and produced multiple tornadoes, dust storms, and wildfires.
Gary, Indiana, experienced the most significant damage as winds estimated at least 120 km/h (75 mph) moved through just after rush hour, toppling trees and damaging homes. The city activated emergency response efforts after a possible tornado sighting in the area.
“The City of Gary confirms that residents reported the sighting of a funnel cloud near 21st Avenue and Hendricks in Gary on March 19. Multiple homes and businesses have reported significant wind damage, along with flooding and numerous downed trees and limbs throughout the affected area. Emergency response teams are on-site, actively assisting residents impacted by the storm,” the city said in a statement.
FOX Weather Exclusive Storm Tracker Brandon Copic observed a likely tornado near Stanford, Illinois, on Wednesday afternoon as a line of tornado-warned storms moved southeast of Peoria.
Earlier in the day, a round of strong to severe thunderstorms developed across parts of Nebraska, Iowa, and Kansas, bringing snow, blizzard conditions, and even thundersnow to some areas. Whiteout conditions forced the closure of multiple key routes.
The storm system also produced heavy snowfall and significant hail. Reports indicate that Shelby, Nebraska, recorded approximately 25 cm (10 inches) of snow accumulation.
Hail accumulation along I-72 contributed to several crashes as ice-covered roadways became hazardous. The National Weather Service (NWS) received reports from across Illinois of hail ranging from penny to quarter size, which covered some grassy areas.
Strong winds and snow created dangerous travel conditions across the region, with reports of crashes and jackknifed trucks on multiple key routes in Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska.
According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, all highways in the northwest part of the state were closed for many hours on Wednesday. The closures included both directions of I-70 from Salina to the Colorado border. Portions of I-70 reopened on Wednesday afternoon.
Travel disruptions extended into Nebraska. The Nebraska Department of Transportation reported that I-80 was closed between Lincoln and Lexington due to deteriorating conditions. The route reopened early on March 20 as conditions improved.
The Iowa Department of Transportation reported that I-29 between Missouri Valley and Sioux City was closed in both directions due to crashes, downed power lines, and low visibility.
The severe weather caused over 100 000 power outages across the affected states, with nearly 50 000 customers in Nebraska still without electricity on Thursday.
References:
1 Storm Reports (20250319 1200 UTC – 20250320 1159 UTC) – SPC – March 20, 2025
2 Tornado spotted in central Illinois as powerful storm system blasts through Midwest – FOX 32 – March 19, 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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