A rare severe convective setup is forecast to develop across the Gulf region, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and eastern Saudi Arabia, on March 26–27, 2026, as a deep low-pressure system and strong upper-level trough interact with high instability and wind shear. The environment may support organized thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes, alongside heavy rainfall, hail, and damaging winds.
A large-scale storm system is forecast to bring heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across parts of the Middle East, including Iraq, Iran, and the Gulf states, between March 25 and 31, 2026, raising flood risk in urban and desert regions. Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have issued warnings for unstable conditions with rain, strong winds, and reduced visibility, while flooding has already caused fatalities in Oman. Parts of the region might see a year’s worth of rain or more through the course of the event.
A cross-country storm is forecast to affect multiple regions of Canada from March 23 through midweek, bringing snow to western and central areas before spreading mixed precipitation and stronger impacts into parts of Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada. The highest-confidence snowfall totals, reaching 20 to 40 cm (8 to 16 inches) in parts of Newfoundland and elsewhere in Atlantic Canada, are expected to create hazardous travel conditions, reduced visibility, and local transport disruptions.
Heavy rainfall from ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle triggered flooding across parts of the Northern Territory, Australia, between March 21 and 23, 2026, inundating properties, disrupting infrastructure, and prompting evacuations. As of March 23, the system was moving west across the Kimberley and had a high chance of redeveloping into a tropical cyclone over waters off Western Australia by March 25, with further strengthening forecast. Severe weather was expected to continue across northern Kimberley through March 24.
Storm damage in Hawaii could exceed USD 1 billion as severe flooding from a Kona low affects Oʻahu on March 20–21, 2026, forcing about 5 500 residents to evacuate and triggering emergency warnings over the imminent risk of failure at Wahiawā Dam.
Multiple Red Flag Warnings are in effect across parts of the High Plains through March 21, 2026, as very low humidity, gusty winds, and anomalously warm temperatures support critical fire weather conditions. The National Weather Service warns that any fires that develop could spread rapidly and erratically.
Tropical Cyclone Narelle made landfall over the Queensland coast at 07:00 AEST on March 20 (21:00 UTC on March 19), as a high-end Category 4 system after briefly reaching Category 5 intensity a day earlier. The cyclone crossed the coast approximately 75 km (47 miles) south of Lockhart River, weakened to Category 2 by the afternoon, and began moving offshore toward the Gulf of Carpentaria. Destructive winds, heavy rainfall, and coastal flooding were reported across affected areas.
Severe thunderstorms accompanied by heavy rain and gusty winds struck Karachi, Pakistan overnight on March 18–19, 2026, killing at least 19 people and injuring more than 50. The deadliest incident occurred in Mawachh Goth, Baldia, where a wall collapse killed 13 people, while six others died in separate rain-related incidents across the city. Authorities launched rescue and medical response operations.
A second Kona low is expected to affect the Hawaiian Islands beginning the evening of March 19, 2026, bringing additional rainfall to areas already impacted by record-breaking flooding from a previous storm. A Flood Watch is in effect from 18:00 LT on March 19 through 18:00 LT on March 22 for Maui County, Oʻahu, and Hawaiʻi Island.
Storm Therese began affecting the Canary Islands, Spain, on March 19, 2026, bringing strong winds, heavy rain, rough seas, and snowfall at high elevations. The severe weather is forecast to persist until at least March 2, with rainfall totals of over 300 mm (12 inches) being forecast in parts of La Palma and Tenerife, increasing the risk of flooding and landslides. Meanwhile, wind gusts above 90 km/h (56 mph) and waves over 5 m (16 feet) are expected.
