A massive winter storm is gripping the central and eastern United States, with over 60 million people under winter weather alerts and millions bracing for treacherous conditions, power outages, and record-breaking snowfall.
The storm system, which began impacting the Central Plains with heavy snow and ice, is forecasted to stretch from Kansas to the mid-Atlantic through Monday, bringing blizzard conditions, freezing rain, and winds of up to 50 mph.
What to Expect Across Affected Regions
- Kansas City, MO: Blizzard warning with snowfall of 8–14 inches and wind gusts up to 45 mph.
- St. Louis, MO: Heavy mixed precipitation, with 5–9 inches of snow and icy conditions.
- Indianapolis, IN: Snow and ice accumulations of 6–9 inches expected.
- Louisville, KY: Up to 9 inches of snow and significant ice accumulation.
- Washington, DC: Snow and sleet with accumulations of 6–10 inches, with suburban areas potentially seeing up to a foot.
The storm will also bring significant icing to southern Illinois, Kentucky, and parts of Missouri, with travel strongly discouraged in these regions. Ice accumulations of up to three-quarters of an inch could cause widespread power outages and hazardous road conditions.
States of Emergency Declared
Governors in Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Arkansas, Missouri, and New Jersey have declared states of emergency, urging residents to stay home and prepare for potential disruptions.
“This winter storm will likely cause significant disruption and dangerous conditions on our roads and could cause significant power outages,” said Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg emphasized the city’s ongoing efforts, with over 200 snowplow operators working to keep roads clear.
Travel Chaos and Power Outages
- More than 1,700 flights were canceled, with major disruptions at Kansas City, St. Louis, and Cincinnati airports.
- Over 120,000 customers were without power as of Sunday night, with outages reported across Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois, and Indiana.
- The National Weather Service warned drivers to avoid travel, citing reports of stranded vehicles and hazardous road conditions.
Severe Weather in the South
The storm has also triggered thunderstorms and tornado warnings in the South, with confirmed tornadoes in Arkansas and Mississippi. Damaging winds, hail, and tornadoes remain possible in parts of Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi.
Potentially Historic Snowfall Totals
Cities like Kansas City and Indianapolis could see record-breaking January snowfall, with some areas expected to receive over a foot of snow.
The storm’s impacts are expected to diminish by late Monday, but frigid temperatures will persist, with parts of the U.S. experiencing temperatures up to 30 degrees below normal. Authorities urge caution as the storm continues to wreak havoc across multiple states.
