Kevin Schneider

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Heavy rainfall that inundated the Hawaiian Islands late last week is on the move. It's being funneled around an area of high pressure, taking aim at the Pacific Northwest. Thankfully, it won't be nearly as heavy or intense as what Hawaii faced.Related: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/flash-flood-emergency-for-oahu-additional-rain-expected-for-hawaii">Kona Low Recap</a>This round looks like it will be a little different than the previous round, which brought only rain to the area. Snow levels with this system will drop a bit, bringing a shot at some wintry impacts to the mountain passes.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-23 114840-1774288230372.png">The day with the most widespread rain appears to be centered around Tuesday, with only scattered coverage from Wednesday onward.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/03-23_rnw-1774288237031.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>There will be winds with this latest batch, with some of the mountain peaks expecting the worst of them. Sporadic power outages will be possible.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-23 044045-1774262461784.png">

Alana Cameron

Pineapple Express Delivers Another Round of Rain

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WEST - Heatwave would be putting this stretch of extreme weather mildly. One of the most intense heat events the U.S. has seen since record-keeping began is unfolding. More daily and monthly March records kept falling this weekend across the West!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-22 201131-1774231918141.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-21 202304-1774146278684.png">The heat is expected to continue through the rest of the weekend after some took a brief break. This is a marathon run that will likely continue towards the end of the week.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-23 114535-1774288026832.png">Afternoon highs in several locations are expected to climb back into the 100s, shattering daily temperature records and creating a dramatic contrast from the colder conditions that typically dominate early March. In some areas, temperatures are running 20 to 40 degrees above seasonal averages.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-23 114734-1774288059546.png">The Climate Prediction Center has a high confidence that temperatures will stay above normal through the end of March.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-23 114750-1774288077346.png">

Records Obliterated - Extreme March Heatwave Bakes the West

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It's the season of swings! Baseball counts but that's not what we're talking about right now. Temperature swings! Another front is going to drop through the Midwest later this week, igniting another round of severe chances.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-23 050226-1774263759758.png">Temperatures will climb this week ahead of our approaching front, soaring into the 70's and 80's by Wednesday and Thursday. That should provide enough fuel for storms by the end of the week. Right now, the Storm Prediction Center is highlighting areas in the mid Mississippi River and Ohio River Valleys with the highest chance on Thursday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-23 114218-1774287844626.png">The biggest concern right now appears to be damaging winds as storms drop south along the front Thursday afternoon and evening. However, this early in the forecast is too soon to eliminate threats.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-23 050426-1774263927145.png">With a front that is going to be moving somewhat briskly, flooding doesn't appear to be a big concern, but the Weather Prediction Center is watching Indiana and Ohio for slow-moving storms.<h2>Timing</h2>Some rain will likely be ongoing Thursday morning. Watch as they drop south into better ingredients by the afternoon<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/03-23_rnc-1774287852389.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>

Sharp Front Sparks More Severe Chances Late Week

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After record shattering rain and hurricane force winds last weekend, Hawaii is already dealing with another strong low pressure system moving in from the west, known locally as a Kona Low.<h2>FRIDAY</h2>Catastrophic flash flooding unfolded overnight Thursday into Friday morning on the northern side of O'ahu, after 5-9 inches of rain fell from slow moving thunderstorms. As a result, a dam failure was possible but officials say that the dam is in good condition so far. More heavy rain is possible to change the status. Evacuation orders have been issued for Haleiwa and Waialua as intense flooding cut off roads and inundated low lying areas. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-23 042733-1774261661310.png">The heavy rain was created by an approaching Kona Low, which will keep the weather pattern rainy through the weekend.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-22 112518-1774200333277.png">The low is shifting east into this week, leading to sunnier conditions and a much-needed break from the rain.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-22 11-27-05-1774200450759.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Rainfall totals could easily surpass 1-4 inches where thunderstorms train, or move over the same locations multiple times. Flooding will happen fast as the grounds are very saturated from the previous storms.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-22 044159-1774176130318.png"><h1>Previous System Record Rain &amp; Wind</h1>Rainfall totals from the previous system are almost unfathomable. Each island had at least one weather station record over 20 inches of rain with hurricane-force winds recorded as well. These intense conditions left the islands more prone for impacts from following storms.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-20 110451-1774026907445.png">

Powerful Kona Low Devastates Hawaii Over the Weekend

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Rob grew up in South Florida, where daily afternoon storms and hurricanes piqued his interest in meteorology early on. That interest was fostered by his teachers and his father, who one time brought him onto the roof of their home to watch a funnel cloud move through the Everglades several miles away. Years of filmmaking and tv production in high school gradually pushed him toward broadcast meteorology at Florida State University, where he joined and eventually led the student run daily weather show. After graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Meteorology, he began his career at KESQ in Palm Springs, California before heading to KFSN in Fresno and WLOS in Asheville, North Carolina. He has covered a diverse array of extreme weather events, including haboobs and flash flooding in the desert, extreme snow in the Sierra, hurricanes, and Appalachian ice storms. He also enjoys telling stories and reporting about weather issues.

Connect with Rob on <a href="https://twitter.com/WxRobBradley">Twitter</a>

Rob Bradley

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Top Image Credit: National Parks Service<div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8V6xqwukzO0" start="0"></iframe></div>Spring is fast approaching, and so are the blooms of flowers all across North America. This includes the famous cherry tree bloom around the National Mall in Washington, D.C.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-06 080027-1772810872599.png">On Thursday, March 5th, the National Park Service announced its projected peak cherry blossom date for 2026. The peak is expected around late March into early April (between the 31st and 2nd). Still, the forecast for the peak is generally difficult to make beyond ten days, as blossoms will be impacted by weather conditions. Check back in for updates!<h2>What is "peak bloom"?</h2>The peak bloom date is defined as the day when 70% of the Yoshino Cherry blossoms are open, one of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/cherryblossom/types-of-trees.htm">many types of cherry trees</a> in the area. Peak bloom usually lasts for several days, with the blooms taking <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/cherryblossom/bloom-watch.htm">about two to three weeks to reach peak</a> after the appearance of green buds. As buds begin to appear, the forecast peak date will be updated by National Park Service horticulturists.<h2>Past Blooms</h2><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-06 080035-1772811048593.png"> Due to variable weather conditions, peak bloom has occurred as early as March 15th (1990) and as late as April 18th (1958).Visiting the blossoming cherry trees has become a favorite springtime tradition for Americans and tourists alike, dating back to 1912 when Japan gifted the U.S. about 3,000 cherry trees. The cherry trees in Japan have been putting on a show for thousands of years, with the dates of blooms being <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/date-of-the-peak-cherry-tree-blossom-in-kyoto">recorded all the way back to the 9th century</a>. The dates for this year's peak blooms in Japan are expected from <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.japan-guide.com/sakura/">late March through late April</a> from north to south across the nation.

Sharp Front Sparks More Severe Chances Late Week

Powerful Kona Low Devastates Hawaii Over the Weekend

Cherry Blossoms Expected to Peak in a Week

Pineapple Express Delivers Another Round of Rain

Records Obliterated - Extreme March Heatwave Bakes the West

Sharp Front Sparks More Severe Chances Late Week

Powerful Kona Low Devastates Hawaii Over the Weekend

Cherry Blossoms Expected to Peak in a Week

Pineapple Express Delivers Another Round of Rain

Records Obliterated - Extreme March Heatwave Bakes the West

Sharp Front Sparks More Severe Chances Late Week

Powerful Kona Low Devastates Hawaii Over the Weekend

Cherry Blossoms Expected to Peak in a Week