Winter Storm Hits Central U.S., Creating Hazardous Conditions
Conditions on the roads began to worsen on Saturday across the central United States as a significant winter storm unleashed a combination of snow, ice, and plummeting temperatures. Forecasts indicate that this disruptive weather system is likely to move eastward in the next few days.
The lead forecaster at the National Weather Service in College Park, Maryland, noted that “winter has returned,” as the polar vortex—an area of extremely cold air that typically stays around the North Pole—shifted southward, affecting large sections of the U.S., Europe, and Asia. This phenomenon has been increasingly linked to the rapid warming trend in the Arctic, which has contributed to the polar vortex’s shifting behavior.
Forecasters anticipated widespread heavy snowfall by Saturday evening, particularly between central Kansas and Indiana, especially north of Interstate 70. By the afternoon, part of this interstate was already closed in central Kansas, with snow and sleet totals expected to reach up to 14 inches (35.6 centimeters) in some areas of Kansas and northern Missouri. The storm is expected to move into the Ohio Valley and disrupt travel significantly, making its way to the Mid-Atlantic region by Sunday and Monday, with temperatures dropping even in southern states like Florida.
As the storm’s cold front advanced, the National Weather Service warned of severe thunderstorms in the Lower Mississippi Valley, with the potential for tornadoes and hail. Upstate New York experienced extreme lake-effect snow, with some areas receiving over 3 feet (0.9 meters) of snow, expected to continue until late Sunday.
The winter weather was already causing accidents as the storm set in, with multiple incidents involving a fire truck, several tractor-trailers, and passenger vehicles near Salina, Kansas. Videos shared by state trooper Ben Gardner showed treacherous road conditions resembling an ice-skating rink. He urged prayers for those involved in accidents and alerted the public that many roads were becoming nearly impassable.
In Wichita, Kansas, freezing rain triggered numerous accidents in the morning, prompting police to advise drivers to remain at home and be vigilant around emergency vehicles. Governors in nearby Missouri and Arkansas declared states of emergency in light of rapidly deteriorating conditions, warning that whiteout conditions posed significant risks for stranded motorists. Missouri’s transportation department reiterated its pleas for people to stay off the roads, citing an overload of vehicle incidents.
Air travel faced disruptions as well, with Kansas City International Airport temporarily halting operations due to icy runways. Dozens of flights were delayed, including one carrying the Kansas City Chiefs. Mayor Quinton Lucas communicated via social media that efforts to keep the airport clear would continue overnight.
Residents in Wichita flocked to stores to stock up on essentials ahead of the storm, while warming centers were set up in local churches and libraries. Several businesses in the Kansas City area decided to close, and the Independence school district in Missouri hinted at potential class cancellations. Officials from the Missouri Department of Transportation urged travelers to prepare for potential delays.
Tom Kines, a senior meteorologist with AccuWeather, emphasized the dual risk posed by snow and ice, indicating that power outages might also be significant, especially south of the Kansas City area.
As the winter storm progressed, dangerous cold temperatures were expected to grip the eastern two-thirds of the country starting Monday, with widespread wind chills expected to range from 12 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit (7 to 14 degrees Celsius) below normal, as the polar vortex’s cold air spread further south. On Saturday, temperatures in Chicago hovered in the teens (minus 7-10 Celsius), while Minneapolis reached around zero (minus 18 Celsius), with International Falls, Minnesota, even dipping to 14 below (minus 25 Celsius).
Weather disruptions extended as far south as Virginia, where Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency and encouraged residents in anticipation of the storm. This response was echoed in Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, and various cities across central Illinois. Meteorologist John Gordon assured residents that the storm was indeed serious, countering notions that these warnings were exaggerated.
Annapolis residents were advised to move vehicles off emergency snow routes in preparation for the expected accumulation of 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 centimeters) of snow, with temperatures remaining below freezing throughout the weekend. In Baltimore, an extreme weather alert was issued, with city officials preparing shelters for those in need, anticipating wind chills to plummet to 13 degrees Fahrenheit (-10.56 degrees Celsius) overnight into Tuesday.
In Louisiana, wildlife officials hastened efforts to locate a manatee spotted in Lake Pontchartrain, as the cold weather posed a risk of cold stress to the animal. Manatees are typically found in warmer waters during summer, and concerns grow when temperatures drop below 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 Celsius). Wildlife rescue coordinators expressed urgency in securing the safety of the creature.
The overall situation illustrates the profound impacts of this winter storm, as significant snow accumulation, hazardous travel conditions, and plunging temperatures create challenges for states across the central and eastern United States.
