Over 130 000 electricity customers across Hawaii lost power on March 13, 2026, as a powerful Kona low brought heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and thunderstorms to the islands. Wind gusts up to 126 km/h (78 mph) were recorded on Oʻahu while forecasters warned rainfall totals of 250–500 mm (10–20 inches) could raise the risk of flash flooding.
Extreme Heat Watches have been issued for parts of California and Arizona as an anomalous and unusually prolonged heat event intensifies across the Southwest United States. Watches begin Monday, March 16, 2026, in parts of Southern California, then expand into parts of Arizona and southeast California later in the week, with some desert areas forecast to reach up to 43°C (109°F) and temperatures in some locations rising 11–17°C (20–30°F) above normal for mid-March.
A potential failure of Wahiawā Dam on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, triggered an evacuation warning at 18:55 LT on March 13, 2026, for downstream communities, including Haleʻiwa and Waialua. Authorities said conditions existed that could lead to dam failure capable of causing catastrophic flooding, prompting residents to prepare for possible evacuation.
Blizzard Warnings are in effect for parts of South Dakota and southwest Minnesota beginning late Saturday, March 14, 2026, as a major winter storm is forecast to bring heavy snow, blowing snow, ice in some areas, and wind gusts up to 80 to 90 km/h (50 to 55 mph). Forecasters warn that whiteout conditions could make travel extremely dangerous or impossible from Saturday night into Sunday, with some warning areas remaining under blizzard conditions into early Monday.
A powerful Kona low on Friday, March 13, 2026, bringing widespread severe weather across the islands. The National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Big Island summits, where heavy snow and ice are forecast above 3 350 m (11 000 feet). Forecasters warned that persistent rainfall bands and severe thunderstorms could trigger flash flooding while damaging wind gusts affect multiple islands.
A large-scale sandstorm affected southern Xinjiang, China, on March 13, 2026, as strong winds associated with a regional cold wave mobilized desert dust across the southern edge of the Taklamakan Desert.
Lava from an ongoing eruption at Piton de la Fournaise crossed the RN2 coastal road in the Grand Brûlé sector of Réunion Island early March 13, 2026, cutting a key transport link between the island’s southern and eastern regions.
Flooding and landslides in Ecuador have affected more than 46 000 people across the country since January 1, 2026, leaving 11 people dead and 24 injured, according to the latest update issued on March 13. Authorities report widespread impacts, including hundreds of flood and landslide events, overflowing rivers, and extensive damage to housing and infrastructure across multiple provinces.
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.3 struck offshore Atacama, Chile, at 13:39 UTC (10:39 LT) on March 13, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
Winter Storm Warnings remained in effect across parts of Montana, Idaho, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wyoming on Friday, March 13, 2026, as a broad winter storm brought heavy snow, blowing snow, and hazardous travel conditions from the northern Rockies into the Upper Midwest. Forecast totals ranged from several cm in some lower elevations to 150 cm (5 feet) in parts of Idaho’s higher terrain, while parts of Montana’s mountain ranges were forecast to receive up to 120 cm (4 feet).
