Several weather records broken in March in an unprecedented start to spring season

PITTSBURGH — It’s been a season of extremes and we’ve packed a lot of weather into the past few weeks.

The 2026 spring severe weather season has brought record-breaking temperatures and damaging 70 mph straight-line winds to the Pittsburgh area.

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These storms caused power outages for nearly 250,000 people and set several meteorological records for the month of March.

PHOTOS: High winds batter local communities

Weather forecasters attribute the increase in severe weather to a clash between lingering cold air and southern warmth. While the 2024 season was characterized by record-breaking tornado activity, the current spring pattern is defined by straight-line winds and repeated rounds of heavy rain.

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On March 13, 2026, straight-line winds reaching 70 mph moved through the region. The storm damaged property and resulted in power outages for nearly 250,000 people.

According to local records, a wind gust of 66 mph was measured at Pittsburgh International Airport during the event. This was the fourth strongest non-thunderstorm gust ever recorded at the airport.

Pittsburgh’s Chief Meteorologist Stephen Cropper also noted significant temperature fluctuations just days later. On March 16, 2026, the morning temperature reached 60 degrees. By the end of the day, the temperature had dropped 36 degrees, and the area received six inches of snow.

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Additionally, a daily record high of 84 degrees was set earlier in the month, which represents the all-time high for any day in March.

The current weather conditions are caused by a clash between lingering cold air and southern warmth. Stephen Cropper noted that this interaction has accelerated the start of the severe weather season.

While the record-breaking 2024 season was defined by high-energy patterns that produced tornadoes, the 2026 pattern is dominated by damaging winds and heavy downpours.

The current weather pattern is expected to bring more straight-line winds and repeated rounds of heavy rain to the area. Meteorologists indicate that these conditions will continue to impact the region throughout the spring season.

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