A large-scale extratropical cyclone brought blizzard conditions across the Upper Midwest starting March 4,2025,causing widespread gusty winds and several tornadoes. Developing on March 2,the system developed as a Colorado low and rapidly strengthened on March 4.[5][6][7][8] Very gusty winds were prevalent due to the immense size and strength of the system as a result.
The Alabama Emergency Management Agency reported that gusty winds,with sustained speeds of 15mph (24km/h) to 25mph (40km/h) and gusts reaching up to 45mph (72km/h),led to numerous downed trees and power lines,particularly in central parts of the state.[16]
In Winston County,the storms uprooted trees and damaged structures. A notable incident involved a large tree crashing into an occupied home in Haleyville;fortunately,no injuries were reported. Additionally,structural damage occurred in Lynn,and multiple reports indicated trees and power lines down throughout the county. As of March 5,over 200 residents in Winston County and more than 350 in Marion County were without power.[17]
The severe weather also led to widespread power outages across Alabama. At the height of the storms on March 4,approximately 88,000 customers experienced power interruptions.[18]
In response to the extensive damage,cleanup efforts commenced promptly. Crews worked diligently to remove fallen trees,repair power lines,and restore services to affected communities.[16]
Blizzard warnings were issued across the western and central parts of Iowa,with rain quickly transitioning to snow. Blizzard conditions were acheived over much of the warned area,with widespread wind gusts of 55–65mph (89–105km/h) leading to visibilities of less than half a mile in most locations,with a peak gust of 68mph (109km/h) in Lamoni.[21] During the morning of March 5,a 15+ vehicle pileup occurred on Interstate 35 in between Ames and Des Moines,leading to both directions of the interstate being shut down between those two cities.[22] A separate pileup occurred on Interstate 80 near Newton.[23] Interstate 80 west-bound was delcared impassable between Avoca and Des Moines due to widespread zero visibility and drifting snow.[24]
Prior to turning to snow,significant rain also fell across the state,with 1.7in (43mm) of total liquid in Ames and 1.4in (36mm) in Des Moines.[25]
In Alton,the area experienced a minor snowstorm on Wednesday,receiving less than an inch of snow. However,the accompanying winds caused more significant issues than the snow itself,including knocking down tree limbs,tossing trash cans,and overturning outdoor objects. Sporadic power outages were also reported in different areas due to the snow and wind.[27]
Significant disruptions occurred in Finney County,where eleven semi-trucks were blown off the road,a building lost its roof,and a traffic light fell onto a vehicle—fortunately without injuries. Several trees fell,some onto houses,and numerous power lines and utility poles were downed. U.S. Route 50 was closed between Deerfield and Lakin due to blowing dust. The hazardous conditions produced by the dust storm lead to accidents,including a two-vehicle crash in Kearny. The storm's winds shattered vehicle windows at a Tyson Foods facility in Holcomb,likely due to flying tumbleweeds or gravel.[28] In Douglas County,a semi-truck and trailer slid across U.S. Route 56,blocking traffic for several hours amid slick roads and high winds. There was also approximately 2,300 power outages in the county seat of Lawrence.[29] In Dorrance,a dust devil shattered the back window of a vehicle,and in Norton,strong winds blew a chimney cap off a house. The storm also produced blowing snow in Goodland,creating additional travel hazards.[28]
The strongest recorded wind gust in Kansas was 93mph (150km/h) near Hugoton,while Wichita experienced a gust of 58mph (93km/h).[28] An 85mph (137km/h) wind gust was recorded in the Garden City area.[30] Rainfall in Chautauqua County reached 2.46in (62mm) and Elk County saw 2.32in (59mm).[28]
Louisiana
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Severe storms swept through Mississippi, causing three fatalities and widespread damage across multiple counties. The storms produced two tornadoes—an EF2 in Wayne County and an EF1 in George County—along with strong winds and heavy rain.[35] The fatalities included two individuals in Madison County—one from a tree falling on their car and another from a downed power line—and a woman in Clarke County who died when a falling tree limb struck her.[36][37]
The storms damaged at least fourteen homes and six farms across Clarke, Harrison, Madison, Perry, Warren, and Wayne counties.[37] Wayne County, in particular, experienced significant agricultural losses, impacting the local economy.[38] At the height of the storms, over 38,000 residents were without power, with around 6,800 still affected the following day.[39]
Recovery efforts are underway, with local and state emergency management agencies coordinating assistance.[40]
Missouri
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Dozens of vehicle accidents resulted in two injuries across Missouri.[41] Wind gusts reached up to 54mph (87km/h) in Kansas City, with a 68mph (109km/h) gust recorded in Rosendale. Light snow was also reported in the area.[42]
New Mexico
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A large dust cloud caused motor vehicle accidents in southern portions of the state of New Mexico. In Roswell, visibility dropped below 0.25mi (0.40km).[43][44]
Texas
A large dust cloud produced by the storm moving over Central Texas
In North Texas, an EF1 tornado touched down in Irving, causing substantial structural damage.[45] Hundreds of residents were evacuated from an apartment complex due to roof collapses and compromised structural integrity.[46] Additionally, hurricane-force winds reaching up to 78mph (126km/h) were recorded at Dallas Love Field Airport, resulting in widespread power outages affecting approximately 318,000 customers. The severe winds also led to overturned 18-wheelers and roof damages in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. Plano West Senior High School experienced partial roof loss, leading to flooding in its sports facilities. Firefighters in Dallas responded to multiple incidents, including roof damage at an apartment complex, where a chimney fell over from the winds.[47] A massive haboob enveloped the metroplex, reducing visibility and causing traffic accidents.[48]
In Central Texas and South Texas, high winds caused significant power outages and brush fires, with over 31,000 Austin residents left without electricity as of the afternoon of March 4. Austin Energy reported more than 140 active outages and 68 hazards, deploying all available crews to restore power.[49] In San Antonio's southern region, the Calaveras Fire prompted the evacuation of approximately 182 homes. The fire consumed 284 acres before being fully contained by March 5, with no reported injuries.[50] In Hays County, the Onion Creek Fire near Buda burned 190 acres and was 85% contained as of March 6. Temporary evacuations were lifted, but fire crews continued to monitor and secure the area.[51] The Welder Complex Fire in San Patricio County, northeast of Sinton, affected 803 acres and reached 95% containment by March 6.[52]
In Southeast Texas, a large dust cloud hit Houston, dropping visibility to as low as 3mi (4.8km) in some areas and causing poor air quality.[53]
Oklahoma
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In the early morning hours of March 4, an EF1 tornado hit Ada, Oklahoma, injuring one person in the town.[54][55] Ada was left largely without power as a result of the tornado.[56] The Owasso Police Department in Owasso reported flooding from the storm on several streets.[57]
Northeastern United States
Radar imagery of the storm system’s impacts in the Tri-State region, featuring a predominant squall line.
In Pennsylvania, pea-sized hail was recorded as the storm complex moved over the Northeast late on March 5.[58]New York City experienced heavy rainfall that inundated underground subway stations. In addition, a wind advisory was issued early on March 6 from the National Weather Service, with gusts reaching 45 to 50 mph (72.4 to 80.4 kmh).[59] In Woodbine, New Jersey, wind gusts reached 69mph (111km/h) during the storm.[60] Throughout the New York metropolitan area, around 2 inches (50.8 mm) of rain fell.[58] Further north, the University of Connecticut was forced to cancel certain classes early on March 6 due to a power outage on campus.[61] However, the rainfall in the state did help mitigate the drought conditions occurring in the state.[62]
This high-end EF1 tornado ripped the roof off of a home and caused minor damage to two nearby outbuildings. The tornado continued causing fascia and roof damage to frame homes, outbuildings, and manufactured homes before lifting. Damage to tree limbs was also noted.[64]
This tornado began in western Ada and moved directly through the town center. An apartment complex had its roof damaged and a few mobile homes, utility poles, and trees were also damaged throughout the city. One injury occurred.[65]
A brief, high-end EF1 tornado caused primarily tree damage, damaged a vehicle, and damaged the roofs of nearly every building at an apartment complex. The tornado continued east-northeast, damaging two businesses before dissipating.[64]
This tornado began north of Winnsboro, snapping and uprooting numerous trees as it moved east. It caused significant damage to a fire department building, removing most of the metal roof panels, and damaged two homes, including roof and wall damage to a manufactured home. The tornado continued to cause tree and structural damage, including at a campground near Lake Bob Sandlin, where an outbuilding was destroyed, two RVs were overturned, and three occupants were injured. After crossing the lake, the tornado caused sporadic tree damage before lifting near the Camp/Titus county line.[67]
This tornado lifted a roof off of a shed and caused extensive tree damage as it moved northeast. Near US-82, the tornado destroyed a shed, overturned trailers, and continued for several more miles before lifting.[67]
A high-end, QLCS-embedded EF1 tornado caused extensive tree damage, uprooting and snapping trees and downing power lines. It removed the metal roof of a house, destroyed a large metal building at a prison, and overturned three camper trailers. The tornado continued northeast, causing additional tree damage before lifting in the southern portion of New Boston.[67]
A tornado began west of US-287, causing tree damage, destroying an outbuilding, and snapping pine trees. It damaged a home by impaling two-by-fours into the roof and peeling off about a third of the roofing before dissipating near Little Cypress Creek.[68]
This high-end EF1 tornado caused damage to structures from downing trees and snapping power poles. The tornado continued northeast, causing additional tree damage before dissipating.[67]
This tornado touched down in the Sabine National Forest, snapping and uprooting numerous softwood trees. It continued northeast through inaccessible forest areas, crossing SH-87, before lifting within a cove in Toledo Bend Reservoir.[67]
A tornado touched down east of LA-111, causing minor tree damage and tearing away part of a roof from a structure. It continued northeast, snapping several pine trees and causing additional tree damage in inaccessible areas with further analysis needed to determine the full track.[69]
This tornado began in a field southwest of I-49, removing powerlines from transmission towers. The tornado then crossed the interstate and into Boyce, where it damaged several homes, destroyed outbuildings, and caused varying degrees of tree damage in town. The tornado then crossed the Red River into Grant Parish, damaging weak trees before quickly lifting.[71][67]
Four well-built homes were damaged, with about a fifth of each of their roofs being peeled back. Front porch pillars were moved or ripped away, fences were damaged, and one garage door was blown in.[72]
This strong tornado began in a forested area, rapidly intensifying as it crossed US-84, where it rolled a vehicle and destroyed several chicken farm buildings. It reached peak intensity when a manufactured home was thrown over 50yd (46m), causing two injuries, and another home lost half of its roof. Further along, another manufactured home was rolled causing two more injuries, and a pickup truck was lofted and dropped 20yd (18m) away. The tornado caused minor tree and structural damage before weakening and likely dissipating in a forested area north of its final observed damage.[73]
A farm building was destroyed, a large outbuilding was rolled off its foundation, and a tree was snapped. The tornado continued east-northeast, uprooting another tree before lifting.[73]
A high-end EF0 tornado caused minor shingle damage to several homes, destroyed a metal awning, and overturned an RV along its path. Another RV was lifted and tossed approximately 50yd (46m) before the tornado dissipated.[73]
March 5 event
List of confirmed tornadoes – Wednesday, March 5, 2025[a]
This tornado began on the Porter Ridge High School campus, damaging a tennis court, collapsing two storage sheds, and snapping tree branches and a light pole. The tornado then damaged a house under construction, ripping part of its roof off. Further down the path, another house suffered minor structural damage and numerous trees were uprooted or snapped. Several wooden power poles were snapped before the tornado lifted to the west of US-601.[74]
A waterspout moved onshore from the York River, downing several large trees, displacing a large propane tank several hundred feet, and damaging a pillar and shingles on a cottage.[75]
Numbers in parentheses indicate tornado count for the month(~ indicates an unofficial preliminary estimate). Totals are only for the United States.
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