The final polar vortex collapse of the 2024–25 winter season has begun with one of the strongest sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) events being forecast to develop and bring late-season cold to much of the U.S.
Severe flooding triggered by heavy rainfall from March 2 to March 5, 2025, affected multiple regions in Indonesia, resulting in one fatality, submerging homes, displacing thousands, and damaging infrastructure. Weather modification operations began on March 4 to reduce rainfall, with interventions set to continue until March 8 and potentially resume on March 11 if needed.
An EF-1 tornado struck Irving, Texas, early on March 4, 2025, damaging homes, businesses, and infrastructure. The tornado tore through apartment complexes, snapped utility poles, and displaced hundreds of residents.
Seven tornadoes were reported in Oklahoma and Louisiana on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, as severe storms moved over the region. The twisters ripped roofs off homes, destroyed outbuildings, and damaged numerous trees.
East China’s Shandong province experienced its heaviest March snowstorm since 1971 from March 1 to 3, 2025, with snow accumulation reaching up to 20 cm (7.9 inches), causing widespread disruptions to daily life and transportation. Events like this are rare for early March in Shandong’s temperate monsoon climate, where cold, dry winters usually limit snowfall to lighter amounts between December and February, especially in milder coastal areas influenced by the Yellow Sea.
The world’s largest iceberg, A23a, ran aground near the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia on March 1, 2025. The iceberg remains stationary approximately 90 km (56 miles) from land, raising concerns about its potential impact on marine ecosystems and navigation.
Episode 12 of the ongoing Halema’uma’u eruption began at 07:30 LT (17:30 UTC) on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, with sporadic lava flows from the north and south vents. Continuous fountaining reached heights of 150–165 m (490–540 feet) by 00:20 UTC on March 5 and is expected to increase further. The eruption is part of the ongoing activity that started on December 23, 2024. The USGS maintains the Volcano Alert Level at Watch and the Aviation Color Code at Orange.
Heavy rainfall hit Telde, Gran Canaria, on March 3, 2025, triggering severe flooding, road closures, and powerful currents that swept away vehicles, further worsened by a reservoir burst releasing 700 000 liters (185 000 gallons) of water.
A severe hailstorm battered Zhangpu, Fujian Province, on March 2–3, 2025, unleashing hailstones reportedly as large as 14 cm (5.5 inches) in diameter. If confirmed by the China Meteorological Administration, this could rank among the largest hailstones ever recorded in China.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, for areas east of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex in Texas as a line of strong storms moves across the region. The storms are expected to clear the area by midday, after which a Red Flag Warning will take effect for Killeen in Central Texas. Strong, dry winds following the system—forecast to reach 40—55 km/h (25—35 mph) with gusts up to 80 km/h (50 mph)—will increase fire weather risks, shifting the primary hazard from severe storms to the potential for rapid fire spread.
