The extratropical cyclone responsible for the tornado outbreak also resulted in a severe late-season blizzard in parts of the Southern Plains, particularly in the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles.

Zero visibility was reported in much of the area for hours in a row on the morning of March 17, due to extremely heavy snowfall rates as well as wind gusts over 60 mph (97 km/h).

On March 16, an enhanced risk for severe weather was issued for northeastern Texas Panhandle northeastward into south central Kansas for the possibility of very large hail.

[5] As the night progressed, a squall line developed in Western Texas and steadily organized as it moved eastward overnight producing more severe weather.

It was forecasted well in advance; on March 13, the Storm Prediction Center highlighted a large area of severe potential, including all of Mississippi.

[10] Throughout the day, the Storm Prediction Center issued three particularly dangerous situation (PDS) tornado watches for areas of Alabama and Mississippi.

[14] The first tornado of the day, rated EF2, touched down west of Waynesboro, Mississippi just after 12:00 p.m. CDT on March 17, causing major damage to chicken houses and trees.

[16] The moderate risk was downgraded to enhanced on March 18 due to a lack of buoyancy in the atmosphere, but numerous strong to severe thunderstorms still tracked through the area during the afternoon.

[72] In parts of the Southern Plains, the large extratropical cyclone associated with the tornado outbreak also resulted in a severe blizzard early on March 17.