Storms, Heat and Cold: A U. S. Weather Rollercoaster

Hawaii

• Heavy rain on Oahu has escalated to flash‑flood risk.

Southwest

• Phoenix faces an early heat wave, with temperatures predicted to exceed 100 °F for several days.
• Los Angeles reports March’s hottest spell yet; runners are cutting workouts due to the heat.

North & East

• The polar vortex is moving south, bringing:
• Minneapolis ≈ 0 °C
• Chicago: single digits (°F)
• Northeast: teens (°C)
• Atlanta: 20s (°C)

Storm Outlook – Great Lakes & Northern States

• Friday: First storm arrival.
• Sunday–Monday: Larger, potentially bomb cyclone—rare over land.
• Snow: 3–4 ft in some locales.
• Ice storms likely just south of heavy snow.

Wind Threat – Central U.S.

• Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas: winds up to 60 mph; stronger gusts possible.
• San Antonio & Austin face heightened wildfire risk due to dry conditions.

Underlying Dynamics

• An unusually steep, erratic jet stream keeps hot air trapped in the Southwest while cold air spills into the Midwest and East.
• Climate change, amplified by shrinking Arctic ice, is a key driver.

Looking Ahead

• First day of spring on March 20; temperatures expected to recover afterward.
• Upcoming week: more storms, but less widespread than recent tornadoes in Oklahoma, Michigan, and Indiana.
• Potential dangerous thunderstorms from the Mississippi Valley toward the East Coast later in the week.