Major Winter Storm Set to Impact Much of the U.S. with Severe Weather
A significant winter storm is poised to bring heavy snow and frigid temperatures across the U.S., affecting millions.
Kansas, Arkansas, Kentucky, Virginia, Mississippi, Florida, Snow, Cold, Storm
Kansas City: A massive winter storm is hitting the U.S., and folks are really feeling it. Millions are getting ready for some serious snow and bone-chilling cold.
States like Kansas, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Virginia are in emergency mode. The storm, fueled by a polar vortex, is moving east after causing chaos in the central U.S. Even southern states like Mississippi and Florida are warning about dangerously cold weather.
So, what’s a polar vortex? It’s basically a big swirl of cold air that hangs out around the poles. Sometimes it decides to wobble south, and that’s when we get hit with these frigid temps.
As the storm rolls east, about 60 million people across 30 states are under weather alerts. Heavy snow and ice are expected over the next few days, and it’s not looking good.
Travel is already a mess. Kansas City International Airport had to shut down for a bit to clear the runways, which delayed a bunch of flights, including one for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Interstate 70 in Kansas is also closed for an 18-mile stretch due to blizzard conditions. They’re expecting up to 14 inches of snow and wind gusts hitting 40 mph.
The National Weather Service is predicting historic snowfall for parts of Kansas and Missouri, with over 15 inches expected. That’s the heaviest snow we’ve seen in a decade!
They’re warning that daily life is going to be disrupted, with dangerous driving conditions and lots of closures. Travel could be nearly impossible through Sunday.
Cities like Cincinnati, Chicago, and St. Louis are already treating roads and setting up warming centers to help folks out.
Snow showers started popping up in the Northern Plains, and over 2 million people are under a blizzard warning in Kansas and Missouri. That means visibility could drop to less than a quarter mile!
Sunday is also bringing severe weather risks to the lower Mississippi Valley, with millions at risk for tornadoes and damaging winds.
As the storm keeps moving, more people are getting ready for record-low temperatures. Snow is expected to hit the mid-Atlantic and central Appalachians overnight into Monday.
Major cities like Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Philadelphia are preparing for snowy and icy conditions, with Virginia expecting 5-12 inches of snow.
Meanwhile, southern states like Arkansas and Louisiana are bracing for severe thunderstorms, which is pretty unusual for them.
Flight delays are piling up across the country, with nearly 7,000 reported. Denver International Airport had a rough day, with almost half of its flights delayed.
Major airlines are waiving change fees as they expect more disruptions. It’s going to be a chilly week ahead, with temperatures dropping significantly across the eastern U.S.
Highs will be 10 to 25 degrees below average, with some areas in the northern Plains seeing overnight lows as low as minus 20. Wind chills could make it feel like minus 40!
Cold weather advisories are in effect from eastern Montana through Minnesota. Stay warm out there!