Blizzards, ferocious winds to emerge in Plains on Friday as dangerous winter storm fuels critical fire threats
3/13/25
- This powerful storm boasts an expansive wind field and potentially record-low March pressure in the Plains.
- Despite a lack of extreme cold limiting snowfall, blowing snow will create blizzard conditions and whiteouts that will make travel impossible in some areas.
- Midwest airport hubs in cities like Chicago, Milwaukee and Minneapolis are likely to experience major delays.
- Destructive winds are likely to knock out power to hundreds of thousands.
Residents across the northern Plains and parts of the Midwest are preparing for a powerful winter storm that will bring strong winds, blowing snow and plummeting temperatures, potentially creating blizzard conditions and hazardous travel.
The FOX Forecast Center is actively tracking the significant cross-country weather system. Originating as an atmospheric river drenching California, this system is projected to rapidly intensify as it emerges from the Rockies on Thursday.
This strengthening storm poses a multiday severe weather threat for the central and eastern U.S. Simultaneously, it is generating urgent winter weather warnings for the Upper Midwest and High Plains and escalating fire danger alerts in the Southwest.