LIVE UPDATES: March Madness Across Country, Winter Storm Iona, Severe Weather, Flooding In Hawaii, Heat Wave In Desert

Wyatt Williams Sun, March 15, 2026 at 12:41 PM UTC

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Across the country, we’re seeing severe weather hitting nearly every region in the United States.

At the top of our list, we’re following a winter storm in the Midwest that could bring record snow to parts of Wisconsin and Michigan later today. We’re anticipating power outages and dangerous driving conditions, at the very least.

In the Desert Southwest, a heat wave is pushing temperatures potentially to 100 degrees or higher. In the Plains, high winds with gusts of 70 mph or higher are expected. In Hawaii, a strong Kona low has been flooding residents and left more than 100,000 without power. Millions are under the threat of severe storms.

(FORECASTS: Severe Weather | Winter Storm Iona)

In an effort to keep track of it all, we’ll be posting live updates all day long right here.

Follow along below.

(08:45 a.m. EDT) NWS Warns Of Whiteout Conditions, Hazardous Icing, Power Outages

As we anticipate the worst of Winter Storm Iona later today, the National Weather Service is warning of serious impacts across the upper Midwest.

(08:40 a.m. EDT) Minnesota Activates National Guard

From content writer Toby Adeyemi

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed an executive order to bring in the Minnesota National Guard to support and help emergency operations for a major winter storm expected to hit the state late Saturday into Sunday. A winter storm warning goes into effect Saturday at 7 p.m. for central and southern Minnesota, with 12 to 18 inches of snow forecast for the metro area. Expect wind gusts up to 45 mph, which could create blizzard-like conditions, with the heaviest snow expected to fall overnight and in the wee hours of Sunday morning. The emergency order will stay in place until storm conditions subside or Thursday, whichever comes first.

(08:18 a.m. EDT) Floods Destroy Hawaii Home

By content writer Toby Adeyemi

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This is some insane footage and it really highlights just how serious and strong this storm is. A home in Lao Valley is completely ripped off the ground as the land behind it is swept away due to flooding from the Kona storm.

(08:00 a.m. EDT) Blizzard Warnings Continue To Expand In The Midwest

As Winter Storm Iona moves in, blizzard warnings are now in effect for parts of Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and South Dakota.

(07:55 a.m. EDT) More Than 65,000 Still Without Power In Hawaii

At the latest count this morning, more than 65,000 people are still without power as a result of the atmospheric river in Hawaii. Flash flood warnings remain in effect across multiple islands as heavy rainfall continues to fall in Hawaii. Writer Toby Adeyemi has the details behind the storm that has caused Gov. Josh Green to issue an emergency proclamation.

(07:37 a.m. EDT) Delta Announces Delays

By content writer Toby Adeyemi

If you are planning on flying tomorrow, especially if you are on Delta, expect delays and cancellations. Delta tweeted out a prewarning and is advising you get ahead of any scheduled flight plans through the Midwest.

(07:25 a.m. EDT) What Is Severe Weather?

From senior digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

While many people define severe weather as any damaging weather event, meteorologists are more narrowly focused on thunderstorm impacts:

A tornado

Wind gusts of at least 58 mph

Hail of at least one inch in diameter

(07:15 a.m. EDT) Looking For Maps?

The easiest way to follow a storm is on our maps. Track everything from current conditions, forecasts and potential impacts from Winter Storm Iona and the severe weather on the southern end here.

(06:05 a.m. EDT) What Is A Blizzard?

From senior digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

Blizzard conditions are categorized by meeting all of the following criteria:

Blowing and/or falling snow

Winds of at least 35 mph

A reduction of visibility to a quarter mile or less

All those conditions persist for at least 3 hours

(MORE: Blizzards Explained)

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Breaking”