Huge winter storm hits central US: snow, ice and rain await millions

Huge winter storm hits central US: snow, ice and rain await millions

Over 60 million people in the U.S. are under winter warnings as a strong weather system is expected to bring a dangerous mix of snow, ice and blizzards. This is accompanied by wind gusts of up to 80 km/h.

Winter storm with far-reaching consequences

The winter storm, which has already caused snowy and icy conditions across the central Plains, will create dangerous travel conditions and possible power outages across a wide region from Kansas to eastern Mid-Atlantic states. “For some, this could be the heaviest snowfall in over a decade,” NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center warned.

Expectations and dangerous conditions

Of the 60 million people under winter warnings, nearly 4 million are under blizzard warnings, mostly in parts of eastern Kansas and western Missouri. A dangerous combination of snow, ice and freezing rain is expected across Kansas, Missouri, southern Illinois, Indiana and western Kentucky. Additionally, thunderstorms of snow and freezing rain are observed.

• Kansas City, Missouri: Blizzard-Warnung bis 6 Uhr CST Montag mit Spitzenwerten am Sonntagnachmittag. Gesamter Schneefall wird zwischen 20 und 35 cm erwartet, dazu Eis und Windböen bis 72 km/h.
• St. Louis: Wintersturmwarnung bis 13 Uhr ET Montag, mit dem Höhepunkt am Sonntagnachmittag. Starker gemischter Niederschlag, anfangs eisig, dann schneebedeckt. Gesamter Schnee- und Eisakkumulation zwischen 13 und 23 cm.
• Indianapolis: Wintersturmwarnung bis 19 Uhr ET Montag, mit dem Höhepunkt zwischen Sonntagmittag und Montagfrüh. Starker gemischter Niederschlag mit insgesamt 15 bis 23 cm Schnee.
• Louisville, Kentucky: Wintersturmwarnung bis 19 Uhr ET Montag mit einem sekundären Schneeburst am Montagnachmittag.
• Cincinnati: Wintersturmwarnung bis Mitternacht ET Dienstag mit spitzen Schneeburgs.
• Charleston, West Virginia: Wintersturmwarnung bis 1 Uhr ET Dienstag mit zusätzlichem Schneefall.
• Washington, DC: Wintersturmwarnung von Sonntagabend bis 1 Uhr ET Dienstag mit Schneemischungen.
• Philadelphia: Wetterwarnung am Montag mit Schneeakkumulation zwischen 5 und 10 cm.

Danger from ice

An ice warning remains in effect until noon Monday for portions of southern Illinois, western Kentucky and southeastern Missouri. It is advised to avoid traveling in these areas as bridges and overpasses could become slippery and dangerous. The greatest risk of dangerous ice is south of the snowiest areas, including Kansas, Missouri and the central Appalachians, according to the weather service.

NOAA expects “significant ice buildup” and warns that people should postpone travel if possible. If you are forced to travel, you should drive with extreme caution and be prepared for sudden changes in visibility.

State preparations

The governors of Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Arkansas, Missouri and New Jersey have declared states of emergency, while the governor of Maryland has declared a state of preparedness. “This winter storm is expected to cause significant disruption and dangerous conditions on our roadways,” said Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.

Winter storm forecasts have put several major cities on alert as ratings for potentially historic snow amounts come into January. Cold areas of Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio are expected to see the highest amounts of snow, while warmer regions are more likely to see ice and sleet.

Weather in the southern states

Rain and thunderstorms caused by this massive winter storm are expected in the south. There is a significant risk of severe thunderstorms, including possible tornadoes, in certain areas of Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi.

A temperature drop of up to 30 degrees below normal is expected for the eastern third of the U.S. over the next few days, allowing fallen snow and ice to persist.

Forecasts indicate that this winter storm could bring more than a foot of snow and enough ice to impact power supplies, while the coldest temperatures of the season are expected. More than 1,500 flights have already been canceled and over 7,100 have been delayed.