Why Is There More Severe Weather During the Springtime?

Springtime in the United States is synonymous with extreme weather, specifically in the form of snowstorms, flooding, severe thunderstorms, and intense tornadoes. This wide range of events is due to a battle between warm and cool air masses as the seasons change.

Because of these temperature contrasts, along with shifting climate conditions, spring is considered the most volatile weather season in the nation. The 2025 spring season offered a stark reminder of just how destructive that volatility can be, and as 2026's severe weather season gets underway, forecasters are already watching the atmospheric conditions closely.

Snow and Ice Storms Still Linger in Early Spring

Although temperatures increase as springtime unfolds, the possibility of widespread snow and ice storms remains throughout a majority of the upper Midwest, Plains, and Rocky Mountains. Major blizzards are also possible, even in March and April.

For example, in March 1993, an intense snowstorm brought several feet of snow throughout the eastern half of the United States, causing billions of dollars in damage and claiming 270 lives. Traditionally, March and April are the snowiest months in the Rockies and portions of the High Plains. Heavy snow also commonly occurs along the Great Lakes in April, since leftover cold air from winter may clash with warm air as it rises.