Winter Storm Warnings issued from the Rockies to the Upper Midwest and Northeast
Winter Storm Warnings have been issued from the Rocky Mountains to the Upper Midwest and parts of the Northeast, with heavy snow, strong winds, and mixed precipitation forecast through March 14, 2026. Warnings will remain in effect from March 12 to 14 across much of Montana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, and Maine, with more than 90 cm (3 feet) of snow forecast in some areas.
Image credit: Rock Hall Volunteer Fire Company
Winter Storm Warnings were issued across multiple U.S. states as a winter weather system develops across the northern United States between March 12 and 14. Forecast conditions include heavy snowfall, blowing snow, strong winds, and areas of mixed precipitation that may produce hazardous travel conditions.
Montana
Winter Storm Warnings cover the Continental Divide along the Rocky Mountain Front, including areas near Babb, St. Mary, Marias Pass, Rogers Pass, Kiowa, Logan Pass, and East Glacier Park.
Blizzard conditions are forecast through the afternoon of March 12, with additional snow accumulations of 25 to 50 cm (10 to 20 inches) and wind gusts reaching up to 160 km/h (100 mph). Following the Blizzard Warning, a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect from 15:00 MDT March 12 to 18:00 MDT March 14, with storm-total snowfall forecast between 30 and 90 cm (1 to 3 feet). Whiteout conditions and dangerous travel were expected across high-elevation passes.
Additional Winter Storm Warnings were issued for Petroleum County and Southwest Phillips County from midnight March 13 to 18:00 MDT March 14. Snow accumulations between 15 and 30 cm (6 to 12 inches) were forecast, with travel potentially becoming very difficult during the event.
Wisconsin
Winter Storm Warnings were issued for several counties in Wisconsin, including Taylor, Price, and Menominee counties, from 19:00 CDT March 12 until 13:00 CDT March 13.
Snow accumulations of approximately 5 to 18 cm (2 to 7 inches) are forecast across the warned areas, accompanied by wind gusts up to 72 km/h (45 mph). Blowing and drifting snow may reduce visibility and produce slippery road conditions, particularly affecting the Friday morning commute.
Michigan
In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Winter Storm Warnings cover Alger, Delta, Luce, Northern Schoolcraft, and Southern Schoolcraft counties.
The warning is in effect from midnight March 13 until 20:00 EDT March 13. Forecast snowfall ranges from 13 to 28 cm (5 to 11 inches), with localized totals exceeding 30 cm (12 inches) possible. Wind gusts up to 64 km/h (40 mph) may produce widespread blowing snow, reducing visibility and creating difficult travel conditions.
Minnesota and northern Wisconsin
A Winter Storm Warning was issued for several counties in northern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin, including Koochiching, North Itasca, Carlton, St. Louis, Northern Cook, and Lake counties in Minnesota, as well as Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas, and Iron counties in Wisconsin.
The warning will be in effect from 13:00 CDT March 12 to 13:00 CDT March 13. Snowfall totals of 10 to 20 cm (4 to 8 inches) are forecast, with higher amounts of 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 inches) possible in northern Iron County and higher terrain areas. Winds gusting up to 56 km/h (35 mph) may produce blowing snow and reduced visibility.
References:
1 Winter Storm Warnings – NWS – March 12, 2026
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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