Daily Storm Report for March 26, 2026

General Weather Discussion – Long Range Outlook

As we move through the remainder of March and into much of April, the overall pattern across the United States is expected to remain highly variable, characterized by frequent temperature swings and an active storm track.

Across the eastern United States, a series of cold fronts will continue to move through at regular intervals. Ahead of these systems, temperatures will warm to above-average levels, often creating mild and springlike conditions. However, these periods of warmth will be followed by sharp cooldowns as colder air filters in behind each frontal passage. This will result in a continued “up and down” temperature pattern typical of early spring.

Meanwhile, the western United States is expected to remain relatively warm in the short term, particularly across the Southwest. However, a transition toward a more active pattern is anticipated as emerging El Niño influences begin to take shape. During the first week of April, this may support the development of more frequent Pacific storm systems moving into the West Coast.

These systems are expected to bring increased precipitation to the Pacific Northwest and northern California, along with accumulating snowfall across higher elevations, including the Sierra Nevada and portions of the Rocky Mountains. This shift will mark a change from the recent warmth toward a more unsettled and seasonally typical pattern in the West.

As these systems progress eastward, storminess will expand into the central United States. Periods of rain and thunderstorms are likely across the Plains into the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes. At the same time, colder air lingering across the northern tier may support mixed precipitation events, including sleet and freezing rain, particularly across parts of the Great Lakes and Northeast during the early part of the period.

Additionally, there are indications that at least one system may track across the central Plains later next week, with the potential to produce a swath of accumulating snow extending from parts of Wyoming through Nebraska, South Dakota, and into Wisconsin. While details remain uncertain at this range, this highlights the continued presence of late-season winter weather risks.

Overall, this evolving pattern reflects a seasonal transition. While occasional snow and mixed precipitation events will still occur, especially across the northern United States, the broader trend will gradually shift toward increased thunderstorm activity. As April progresses, the risk for severe weather is expected to expand across the Plains and into the Mississippi Valley, signaling the early stages of the spring severe weather season.