US weather to go nuts with blizzard, polar vortex, heat dome, atmospheric river

Published: Friday, March 13, 2026 at 7:45 am

US Braces for a Week of Extreme Weather

The United States is facing a week of volatile weather patterns, with nearly every region experiencing or preparing for extreme conditions. The forecast includes a range of events, from heavy rainfall in Hawaii to record-breaking heat in the Southwest, significant snowfall in the northern Great Lakes region, and a frigid polar vortex impacting the Midwest and East.

The Southwest is expected to endure a heat dome, bringing triple-digit temperatures earlier than usual. Phoenix, Arizona, is forecast to experience temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius) for several days, a phenomenon not typically seen until early May. This early heat has already been felt in Los Angeles, where temperatures in the 90s Fahrenheit (32 Celsius) have prompted residents to seek shade.

Simultaneously, the polar vortex is predicted to bring sub-zero temperatures to Minneapolis and single-digit temperatures to Chicago. The Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions will also experience a significant drop in temperatures.

The northern tier of the country and the Great Lakes states are bracing for two consecutive storm systems, which could bring several feet of snow. The second storm is expected to intensify rapidly, potentially becoming a bomb cyclone, a rare occurrence over land.

Hawaii is under a flash flood warning due to an atmospheric river bringing persistent heavy rain. Additionally, Alaska is expected to experience temperatures significantly colder than usual.

Meteorologists note that while extreme weather events are typical for this time of year, the current forecast appears particularly anomalous, with record-breaking temperatures expected in some areas. These conditions are linked to a "wild" jet stream, which is causing extreme weather patterns to occur in close proximity.

BNN's Perspective: The convergence of these extreme weather events underscores the increasing volatility of our climate. While the cyclical nature of weather patterns is understood, the intensity and frequency of these events warrant continued attention and proactive measures to mitigate potential impacts.

Keywords: US weather, extreme weather, polar vortex, heat dome, atmospheric river, blizzard, heatwave, snowstorm, bomb cyclone, jet stream, climate change, weather forecast, record temperatures, flooding, severe weather

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