Three people were killed when tornadoes ripped through the midwestern United States this week. More than 20 tornadoes struck the region, causing damage from Missouri to Michigan.

A 71-year-old man was killed when a tornado struck a building near his home near Crossville, Indiana. In Ottawa, Illinois, one person was killed after a tree was uprooted. Another fatality occurred in Missouri.

Screen Shot 2017-03-01 at 1.34.06 PM.png

Illinois governor visits the aftermath of severe storms across the state. (Image via @GovRauner)

While strong storms blasted the Washington, D.C., area this week, recent warmth sparked an early bloom for some of the city's famed cherry blossom trees.

May-like temperatures in the 60s and 70s F unfolded in the city during the past two weeks, yielding ideal conditions for some blooms.

45th Iditarod: Route altered for 3rd time in event’s history due to meager snow in Alaska Range

Photos: At least 3 killed as severe storms spawn damaging tornadoes in midwestern US

What’s the difference between meteorological and astronomical spring?

As February came to an end, Chicago broke a 146-year-old record after receiving no accumulating snow over the past two months.

Heavy rain fell in San Diego early this week, leading to multiple swift water rescues. Mudslides and downed treas blocked roads in the area, leading to travel disruptions.

The rainfall was so intense that the drainage system at Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres, could not keep up and the field flooded.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Good thing <a href="https://twitter.com/Padres">@Padres</a> are in Arizona for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Springtraining?src=hash">#Springtraining</a> --- Petco Park flooded today <a href="https://t.co/YxeVwo8kqA">https://t.co/YxeVwo8kqA</a> <a href="https://t.co/EhsVhA2CQb">pic.twitter.com/EhsVhA2CQb</a></p>— FOX 5 San Diego (@fox5sandiego) <a href="https://twitter.com/fox5sandiego/status/836400630243577858">February 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js</center>

Record-breaking heat was announced in northern Antarctica this week. A research base hit a mild 63.5 degrees Fahrenheit in March of 2015. Recent review of data led an announcement this week by the United Nations' weather agency.

Early this week, Mount Etna in Sicily, Italy, erupted and spewed ash and lava into the air, creating a fiery display. Ash continued to rise through the atmosphere into Tuesday. The eruption did not cause any disruptions to travel.

In this photo taken on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017 Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano, spews lava during an eruption, near the Sicilian town of Catania, southern Italy. (AP Photo/Salvatore Allegra)

Twenty inches (51 cm) of snow fell in Reykjavik, Iceland, early this week, the most snow to cover the city in more than 80 years.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Snow?src=hash">#Snow</a> record, 51 cm. of snow, most in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Reykjavik?src=hash">#Reykjavik</a> since 1931. <a href="https://twitter.com/metoffice">@metoffice</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/weather?src=hash">#weather</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/winter?src=hash">#winter</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/iceland?src=hash">#iceland</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/february?src=hash">#february</a> <a href="https://t.co/f1Rt7HhBaB">pic.twitter.com/f1Rt7HhBaB</a></p>— Iceland Photos (@dorisig) <a href="https://twitter.com/dorisig/status/835829195016192000">February 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Snow also caused disruption in Manchester, United Kingdom, this week. Airline and train delays were reported as snow covered the city during the Tuesday morning commute.