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.
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.
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).
A major winter storm is forecast to develop over Wyoming on Saturday, March 14, 2026, before expanding into the northern Plains and Upper Midwest by Sunday, March 15, and reaching the Great Lakes by Monday, March 16. WPC said embedded snow bands could produce snowfall rates of 2.5–7.6 cm (1–3 inches) per hour, with blizzard or near-blizzard conditions possible as wind gusts reach about 80 km/h (50 mph), and parts of the core snow band could receive more than 60 cm (24 inches) of snow.
An EF-3 tornado struck Lake Village, Newton County, Indiana during the evening of March 10, 2026, killing two people and destroying homes as a long-track supercell moved from northern Illinois into northwestern Indiana. A National Weather Service damage survey determined the tornado produced winds of about 240 km/h (150 mph) and tracked approximately 58.9 km (36.6 miles) across the region.
An atmospheric river made landfall in the Pacific Northwest during the morning of March 11, 2026, bringing heavy rain and snow across portions of Washington and Oregon. Forecasts show that the event will continue affecting the region through early March 14, producing significant precipitation totals, flooding concerns, and major winter weather impacts in mountainous terrain.
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.
A powerful Kona low is bringing a multi-day flood and severe weather threat to Hawaii on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, with the most dangerous conditions forecast for Friday into Saturday. The National Weather Service says the storm could produce flash flooding, damaging winds, and strong to severe thunderstorms across the island chain, while Governor Josh Green has issued two emergency proclamations tied to the event.
A 15.2 cm (6 inches) wide hailstone was measured in Kankakee, Illinois, on March 10, 2026, after an intense supercell produced a corridor of giant hail across parts of northern Illinois, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Chicago. The agency said the stone may be considered for a new Illinois state record, but its status remains unofficial pending verification.
At least five people were reported dead across Indiana after severe storms triggered flooding and a destructive tornado between March 8 and 10, 2026. Two people were killed in Lake Village, Newton County, when a tornado destroyed multiple homes on March 10, while three others died in separate flooding incidents.
