As we anticipate the arrival of springlike weather, with its promise of warmer days and blossoming landscapes, it’s important to remember that winter’s grasp may still linger. The transition between seasons is expected to bring about a mix of surprises, including snow, frost, and a wintry chill for many.
Meteorological spring commenced on Saturday, March 1, while astronomical spring is set to begin at 5:01 a.m. EST on Thursday, March 20. Despite the cheerful image of tulips blooming under the sun, the initial weeks of spring in the northern United States might feel more akin to winter due to the turbulent shift in weather patterns.
The lingering effects of the cold January have caused substantial ice cover on the Great Lakes, impacting temperatures in the Midwest and Northeast at the start of spring. Additionally, the Pacific Northwest is anticipated to experience a colder spring due to continuous stormy conditions in the region.
As we transition into spring, concerns arise for farmers and gardeners in the East, with the possibility of late frost damaging sensitive plants. Frosty mornings are expected across various regions, with the threat potentially lasting into May.
The clash between warmer spring air and occasional cold spells could give rise to late-season snow, particularly in the interior Northeast and the Midwest. Ski resorts in the East may benefit from this, following mild winters with little natural snowfall in recent years.
The upcoming severe weather season is projected to mirror last year’s trends, with an increase in damaging storms and tornadoes as spring progresses. However, the focal point of destructive weather is expected to shift towards the Mississippi Valley and Tennessee Valley.
Residents across the Plains and Southeast should remain vigilant, as the possibility of severe weather outbreaks in March is not ruled out. Cooler conditions around the Great Lakes are likely to suppress severe weather in the Midwest and Northeast initially, before intensifying storms sweep across the regions in May.
While the Plains to Southeast brace for rain, thunderstorms, and severe weather, Florida is expected to largely escape the tumultuous weather events. Dry and pleasant conditions in Florida may give way to early heat and drought by May.
Stay tuned for AccuWeather’s comprehensive U.S. severe weather forecast for further insights.
On Wednesday, March 5th, spring warmth will waste no time arriving for millions across the southern United States, with summer-like heat even making an early appearance in some cities. “The Southwest will remain dry and heat up quickly,” Pastelok said. “Drought will expand and intensify throughout the region from Southern California to the southwestern Plains.” Arizona, New Mexico, and western Texas are predicted to see some of the warmest weather, where temperatures throughout the spring could average more than 4 degrees above the historical average. “We are concerned that there’s going to be some low rivers and reservoirs going into the interior Southwest this coming spring, and that will really have an impact for the rest of 2025 as well,” Pastelok explained. Expanding and worsening drought paired with long spells of unusually warm weather will also set the stage for explosive wildfires from the Southwest into the Plains. This includes the Texas Panhandle, where fast-moving fires scorched over 1,600 square miles of land from late February into early March of 2024.
Worsening drought is also a concern for a swath of the northern Plains. “Storms have passed through this area with little snow or rain this winter so far,” Pastelok explained. “This trend should continue.” One of the biggest factors meteorologists take into consideration when creating long-range forecasts is the water temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, as it can have far-reaching effects on weather patterns around the world.
Currently, La Niña conditions are ongoing, with water temperatures in this region reaching the threshold for a La Niña in late December. This phenomenon is the cold counterpart to El Niño. “We are looking at a weak La Niña setup as we go into the start of the spring season,” Pastelok explained. Even if La Niña ends during the spring, there is a lag where it can have a continual influence on the atmosphere and the overall storm track across North America. La Niña can shift where the core of severe weather erupts over the U.S. during the spring and determine which part of the West Coast is the focal point of storms from the Pacific, and which parts of the country have more cool downs than dramatic warm-ups. The ongoing La Niña is not the traditional setup, with the coolest waters over the central Pacific, rather than the eastern Pacific. “This, with the combination of slightly cooler waters near the Northwest coast, can impact precipitation patterns and severe weather as we go into the spring season,” Pastelok said.
