A formidable winter storm unleashed snow, ice, and strong winds across parts of the central United States on Sunday, promising what might be the heaviest snowfall in a decade.
Snow blanketed major roadways, especially impacting Kansas, western Nebraska, and parts of Indiana, where the state’s National Guard was deployed to assist stranded motorists. The National Weather Service warned of at least 8 inches of snow, particularly north of Interstate 70, accompanied by blizzard conditions in Kansas and Missouri with winds reaching 45 miles per hour.
As of Sunday, about 63 million people across the country were impacted by winter weather advisories and warnings. Notably, the polar vortex, a well-known weather phenomenon originating from the North Pole, played a significant role in this cold surge.
In Indiana, snow severely covered numerous highways, prompting authorities to urge the public to refrain from driving. Simultaneously, Kentucky experienced record-breaking snowfall, with Louisville recording 7.7 inches, a new mark surpassing previous records set in 1910. New York’s upstate regions witnessed over 3 feet of snow from lake effect events set to continue into Sunday afternoon.
The storm’s trajectory was predicted to shift into the Ohio Valley, reaching Mid-Atlantic states by late Sunday and into Monday, while a hard freeze was anticipated as far south as Florida. Meanwhile, damaging winds resulted in downed trees in the Deep South, with tornado warnings issued in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
The storm also severely disrupted travel. In Kentucky, a multitude of car accidents were reported, and more than 600 drivers found themselves stranded in Missouri. Virginia State Police noted over 135 crashes. The adverse weather conditions forced the closure of vital highways and led to significant travel delays, both by air and rail. Flights were notably affected, with around 200 cancellations reported at St. Louis Lambert International Airport alone.
As temperatures plummeted across the eastern United States, no new record lows were set despite the harsh climate. However, in cities like Chicago and Minneapolis, temperatures hovered in the single digits and teens, with even colder conditions stretching into the Northeast. This cold air mass is forecasted to extend through the eastern two-thirds of the country, affecting regions as far south as Georgia.
The severe weather caused widespread cancellations of rail services and school classes, especially in Indiana, Maryland, Virginia, and Kentucky. Thousands of students faced disruptions as their return from winter break was postponed.
The winter storm has profoundly impacted daily life across a significant portion of the United States, emphasizing the importance of heeding weather warnings and exercising caution during severe weather events.
Source: Wsvn
