Spring forecast 2026: Wintry weather isn’t finished yet in these parts of the US

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and a nutshell.

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Well, if you happen to live in the south, the southeast, the Atlantic states, the northeast,

the Great Lakes, and some parts of the Midwest, well, the last couple of weeks have been

called, and in some cases, a brutal challenge.

So let's take a moment to think about warmer weather with AccuWeather's early spring forecast.

Now the thing is, this spring will be a divided season, with large areas of the country expected

to have an early arrival of spring-like weather, while many others stare into the face of

an extended winter.

Now, spring officially begins on Friday, March 20th.

AccuWeather's long-range forecasters say some areas will struggle to shake off that

winter weather well into the season, including the chance for spring snow, while others will

transition quickly to warmth.

The northeast, the Midwest, and the northern plains will experience a seasonal tug of

war throughout the upcoming season, with cold air winning the battle more often than

spring-like warmth, especially early on in the season.

AccuWeather's long-range expert Paul Pastelok says that a slower transition to persistent

spring warmth could occur from the northern Rockies to the northeast.

He added that there will be occasional warm-ups, but they will not last long before that next

wave of chilly air arrives.

The extension of cold weather in the plains, the Midwest, and the Great Lakes will keep

the door open for snow, especially during the first half of spring.

It will also bring opportunities for late season frost, which could impact farmers and

backyard gardeners.

People across those regions could have to wait until May, before warm weather settles

in for good, and you can put those winter coats away in your closet.

Spring warmth will arrive much faster across the southern half of the country, with fewer

cool spells once winter loosens its grip.

In the northwest, the switch from wintery to spring-like weather will be delayed, unfolding

around the middle of the season.

The warm conditions and lack of springtime storms will cause drought to worsen, particularly

across the southwest.

Pastelok said that his team is not expecting significant rainfall for that region.

Spotty large fires could break out across the region during the spring.

But may also worsen in parts of the plains and the southeast with the Florida Peninsula,

not seeing much in the way of consistent rainfall until late spring.

This could lead to some spotty large brush fires.

Severe weather will once again be a major springtime hazard, even if the season does not mirror

the extreme tornado counts seen last year.

The more than 1500 tornadoes tallyed last year were above the 15-year historical average.

Pastelok said, we are leaning toward fewer tornado reports this spring compared to last

year, but that does not mean the season will be quiet.

Instead, severe thunderstorms are more likely to trigger damaging winds and torrential rain

compared to last year.

The greatest risk for severe weather will focus from the Mississippi Valley into the Gulf

States, especially during March and April, and these areas' storms are more likely to

produce damaging straight line winds and flooding downpours, but tornadoes will still pose

a threat.

Farther north cooler and more stable air early in the season may limit severe weather

initially across the north central plains and the Midwest, but that will change later

in April and in May.

AccuWeather will release a more detailed breakdown of this year's severe weather and tornado

forecast on March 4th.

How about this for an interesting story?

Ryan Stalker found something odd washed up on a beach at Weymouth, UK on January 25th.

It was a commercial trash bin coated in dirt and barnacles marked Baldwin County, Alabama.

So after doing a little research on the internet, he was able to track down its origination point,

which was from the Gulf Coast of the US during a hurricane five years, four months, and

nine days before landing upon his little stretch of beach in the UK.

It was tracked down to three possible trash receptacles lost during Hurricane Sally on

September 16th, 2020 in Fort Morgan, Alabama.

Now, the trash bin likely traveled across the Atlantic Ocean, propelled by ocean currents

and strong storms, typical ocean currents deliver ocean water from the Gulf Stream, which

runs from off the southern Florida coast, northeast to the middle of the Atlantic.

From there, things get a little bit more complicated with eddies that circulate, but the general

direction remains east towards the UK and Europe.

Stalker, an underwater photographer by trade often photographs goose barnacles like those

on the Alabama bin because they symbolize long ocean journeys that waste takes.

In fact, a photo he took of a barnacle covered soccer ball in 2024 won the British Wildlife

Photography Award.

That's all for now.

You can find more regional forecasts and science-based articles at AccuWeather.com and for your local

forecast at your fingertips, download the AccuWeather app.

Enjoy the rest of your day.

It'll be safe, I'll be back tomorrow with more from AccuWeather.