A powerful winter storm brought a mix of snow, ice, harsh winds, and dropping temperatures to parts of the central United States on Sunday, creating treacherous travel situations. Some regions faced the potential for the most significant snowfall in a decade due to this disruptive weather pattern.
In Kansas, western Nebraska, and sections of Indiana, roadways were covered in snow and ice, leading to the activation of the state’s National Guard to assist stranded motorists. Anticipations of at least 8 inches (20 centimeters) of snow were particularly high for areas north of Interstate 70, prompting winter storm alerts from the National Weather Service. These warnings also extended into Missouri, where blizzard-like conditions were recorded, including wind gusts reaching 45 mph (72 kph). The warning area will stretch to New Jersey early next week.
The National Weather Service indicated that some locations could see their highest snowfall totals in over ten years, emphasizing the potential severity of this storm.
On Sunday, Gary Wright, bundled in a parka, worked to remove ice from his SUV in a Missouri parking lot, sharing his decision to work from home in response to the weather. He also mentioned his search for dog boots, as their older pets were hesitant to venture outside due to the cold.
The polar vortex, which typically remains near the North Pole, sends intense cold air across Europe, Asia, and the U.S. when it shifts southward. Research indicates that the warming Arctic contributes to the increasing occurrences of this phenomenon extending its chilling effects.
In Indiana, several major highways, including portions of Interstates 64 and 69, were fully covered with snow, prompting authorities to caution drivers to stay off the roads while snow plows struggled to keep pace. Indiana State Police highlighted how quickly snow accumulated on the roadways, making travel perilous.
In parts of Kansas, 10 inches (25 centimeters) of snow had been reported, with some areas anticipated to see totals surpassing 14 inches (36 centimeters). Kentucky’s Louisville set a new record for snowfall on that date with 7.7 inches, breaking the previous record of 3 inches set back in 1910. Furthermore, Lexington recorded 5 inches (12.7 centimeters), contributing to a notable weather event in the state.
In New York, particularly in upstate regions, reports indicated snowfalls exceeding 3 feet (0.9 meters) due to lake effect snow, expected to persist until late Sunday afternoon. The storm’s forecast predicted movement into the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic regions with temperatures set to plummet southward toward Florida.
Winds in the Deep South were strong enough to topple trees, and tornado warnings were issued for parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi as the storm progressed.
As travel conditions worsened, numerous car accidents began to occur across Virginia, Indiana, Kansas, and Kentucky. In Kentucky, a state trooper suffered non-life-threatening injuries after an accident on Interstate 65. Missouri’s highway patrol reported that at least 600 motorists were stranded.
Northeastern Kansas saw highways become impassable, leading to significant closures, including a 220-mile stretch of Interstate 70. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency, urging people to stay safe at home due to the hazardous driving conditions.
In Virginia, the state police recorded over 135 accidents as snowfall intensified. Amid the inclement weather, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office in West Virginia advised residents to remain inside as they managed multiple accidents and emergency calls.
Travel on railways and flights faced major disruptions, with rail service cancellations exceeding 20 on Sunday, and additional cancellations expected for the following days. Amtrak expressed the necessity to adjust services based on local travel advisories.
At St. Louis Lambert International Airport, nearly 200 flights were canceled, further compounding travel chaos. Starting Monday, forecasters anticipated that the eastern two-thirds of the U.S. would experience dangerously cold temperatures, 12 to 25 degrees (7 to 14 degrees Celsius) below normal averages.
As arctic air spread, areas such as Chicago reported temperatures in the teens (minus 7 to 10 Celsius), while parts of Minnesota dipped to 11 below (-11.7 Celsius). Meteorologists indicated that the northeast would likely see colder weather following a relatively mild winter start. This influx of cold air from Canada could affect regions as far south as Georgia, leading to single-digit lows in parts of the East Coast and heightening the risks for anyone exposed to the harsh conditions.
The National Weather Service forecasted snow accumulations between 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 centimeters) for parts of Maryland, leading Virginia’s governor to declare a state of emergency and advising residents to participate in early voting prior to upcoming elections. Similar emergency declarations were made in Missouri, Kansas, and West Virginia.
Monday likely saw widespread school cancellations, with many districts in Indiana, Maryland, Virginia, and Kentucky already announcing closures. In Jefferson County, Kentucky, the district canceled all classes and activities, emphasizing that students would have the day off without any online learning obligations.
