A significant snowstorm made its way into the mid-Atlantic region on Tuesday, leading to multiple traffic accidents on icy roadways, school closures, and growing concerns about potential power outages.
In parts of Virginia and West Virginia, snowfall was anticipated to reach up to 10 inches (25 centimeters), while ice accumulation varied from a light glaze in Kentucky and West Virginia to as much as half an inch (1.3 centimeters) in the higher elevations of West Virginia and the Roanoke Valley in southwestern Virginia, as per the National Weather Service’s predictions. Areas experiencing substantial ice buildup were at a higher risk for power outages and damage to trees.
“Did you think winter was over? Think again!” remarked the weather service’s office in Blacksburg, Virginia, humorously on X. Snow began mixing with sleet in western Virginia and North Carolina early Tuesday morning, with the weather system projected to transition to freezing rain as the day progressed.
In preparation for the storm, Appalachian Power, which provides electricity to a million customers across West Virginia, Virginia, and Tennessee, announced it had solicited the assistance of 700 additional workers from nearby utilities.
About 65 soldiers from the Virginia National Guard were stationed at facilities along Interstate 95 and state Route 29, as well as in southwestern Virginia, in response to the storm’s impact. An additional 20 soldiers and members of the Virginia Defense Force were assigned support roles to aid in the efforts.
Troops equipped with heavy-duty trucks were organized into chainsaw teams to help with road and power line clearance. Black Hawk helicopters were also put on alert for potential rescue operations.
Winter storm warnings were in effect from Kentucky to southern New Jersey on Tuesday. The snow and ice conditions were predicted to transition entirely to rain as temperatures were expected to rise by Wednesday afternoon.
A different storm system was on the horizon, anticipated to bring significant snowfall in regions from Kansas to the Great Lakes beginning Tuesday night, as noted by the weather service. Due to these weather conditions, the Kansas Legislature decided to cancel meetings scheduled for Wednesday, and Governor Laura Kelly ordered the closure of state offices in Topeka.
In Virginia, Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency and shut down schools and government buildings on Tuesday. State police reported numerous incidents on the roads, which included four injuries resulting from accidents. The Department of Transportation urged residents to avoid traveling unless absolutely necessary.
In anticipation of the forecasted snow in the Washington, D.C., area, the Office of Personnel Management advised federal employees to leave work early on Tuesday afternoon. Schools in and around Baltimore also opted for early dismissals.
In southern West Virginia, several significant highways experienced temporary closures due to multiple accidents. Smith’s Towing and Truck Repair responded to at least 15 distress calls, primarily from tractor-trailers that became trapped in snow and ice on Interstate 64 in Greenbrier County near the Virginia border, according to dispatcher Kelly Pickles.
“They essentially get drawn into the median or veer just slightly off the interstate,” she reported. “They don’t have enough traction to regain access to the road considering the icy conditions.”
Describing the winter scene, Paige Williams, owner of Downtown Books in Lexington, Virginia, noted the delightful “fluffy snow that sticks to things,” which was falling heavily and impacting visibility in her area in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
“It creates a wonderland,” Williams said. “It’s beautiful out here, with snow collecting on the evergreens and rock walls. It’s simply stunning.”
At 58 years old, Williams closed her shop as Lexington was forecasted to receive as much as 9 inches of snow. She expressed optimism about reopening by Wednesday, acknowledging that Lexington and Rockbridge County are usually reliable in keeping roads clear.
However, with temperatures fluctuating around freezing, the forthcoming rain could either enhance or hinder road conditions. “It really hinges on how the temperatures behave,” she noted. “Rain can either wash things away or freeze, turning roads into skating rinks.”
An Arctic air mass blanketed regions stretching from Portland, Oregon, to the Great Lakes on Tuesday.
In Detroit, where the temperature dropped to the low teens (approximately minus 11 degrees Celsius), two children under the age of ten reportedly succumbed to cold exposure after being found alongside family members in a van parked in a casino garage. It is believed the family may have been living in the vehicle.
The temperature plummeted to an extreme low of minus 31 degrees (minus 35 degrees Celsius) in Butte, Montana. Over the past two winters, at least five individuals have died from cold exposure, according to Brayton Erickson, the executive director of the Butte Rescue Mission. Outreach for the homeless in the city saw volunteers distributing essential items like sleeping bags and jackets to those in need. The rescue mission was filled to capacity with 36 individuals seeking shelter from the frigid temperatures overnight.
“During such severe cold, we go above and beyond to provide assistance,” he stated.
All beds at the Minot Area Men’s Winter Refuge in North Dakota were full, according to executive director Mike Zimmer. The temperature dropped to minus 17 (minus 27 degrees Celsius) early Tuesday.
“Being outdoors, that wind feels like knives cutting into your body within seconds,” Zimmer shared.
In Oregon’s Multnomah County, officials extended a state of emergency through at least Thursday. Two additional shelters opened Tuesday night, adding to three that had been operational since Monday. Midweek wind chill values were forecasted to drop to 10 degrees (minus 12 degrees Celsius) in Portland.
Forecasters are also tracking an atmospheric river in California that is set to begin Thursday, predicted to unleash heavy rainfall along the coast and in central valleys, along with substantial snowfall in the Sierras, lasting through Saturday.
