Heavy snow and freezing rain have impacted a significant portion of the eastern United States, stretching from Kentucky to Washington, D.C. This storm has resulted in numerous traffic accidents, power outages, and flood warnings as temperatures began to rise on Wednesday. Meanwhile, California is gearing up for an atmospheric river that may lead to flooding in areas recently devastated by wildfires.
The storm system, which moved from Kentucky to Maryland and beyond on Tuesday, delivered over 14 inches (37 centimeters) of snow to Iron Gate, a small town in western Virginia, while White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, received 12 inches. The National Weather Service provided these details as the storm progressed.
As of Wednesday, PowerOutage.us reported that over 190,000 customers in Virginia and nearly 16,000 in North Carolina experienced power outages. Appalachian Power, responsible for serving about a million customers across West Virginia, Virginia, and Tennessee, had deployed around 5,400 workers to assist in restoring power.
Airports across the region recorded several inches of snow, according to meteorologist Scott Kleebauer from the Weather Prediction Center. He mentioned that after a relatively quiet previous seasons, winter weather has returned with a vengeance.
Flight disruptions were significant, with nearly 4,000 cancellations or delays reported nationwide on Wednesday. This included about 250 flights affected at Ronald Reagan National Airport, located near the nation’s capital. Schools in Virginia were closed for the second consecutive day, while districts in Baltimore and Washington, D.C., also granted students and staff a day off. Some family members seized the opportunity to go sledding close to the U.S. Capitol.
As temperatures began rising by Wednesday afternoon, the mix of snow and ice was expected to transition into rain. This shift raised concerns for flooding as both rain and melting snow would flow into already-saturated rivers and streams across the region. The National Weather Service highlighted a flood threat extending from eastern Tennessee to southwestern Virginia, among other southern areas, lasting until Thursday morning.
Vance Joyner, a meteorologist, stated that the primary concern moving into Thursday would be potential flooding due to the combined effect of melting snow and rain impacting local waterways. Efforts to manage this risk are imperative.
In Kentucky, snowy conditions contributed to a tragic head-on collision on Tuesday, resulting in the death of one driver in Nelson County. The driver lost control on a curve, crossing into the lane of an oncoming semi-truck. In Virginia, where Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency, the state police responded to approximately 850 accidents over Tuesday and Wednesday, with some resulting in injuries. It remains unclear whether the weather directly caused these incidents. Maryland State Police also reported 235 accidents and found 185 vehicles left inoperable.
Areas further west are also facing winter weather challenges. A separate storm system is anticipated to bring heavy snowfall from Oklahoma to the Great Lakes on Wednesday, prompting government offices to close in regions of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri. Some universities in these states and in Iowa opted to cancel classes in response to the storm.
In Oregon, officials in Multnomah County declared a state of emergency through at least Thursday, while five emergency shelters were established to accommodate residents. Wind chill factors could plunge to 10 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 12 degrees Celsius) in Portland. An ice storm is expected on Thursday and Friday, potentially disrupting deliveries of flowers and gifts for Valentine’s Day. Julia Duncan, co-owner of Flowers in Flight, remained optimistic, recalling that their community has faced ice storms before. She expressed confidence that customers would still find ways to support their loved ones.
Meanwhile, California experienced light rain on Wednesday as the state readied itself for an incoming atmospheric river. This weather phenomenon is postulated to bring heavy rainfall, strong winds, and snow to mountainous areas over the next few days. The San Francisco Bay Area could see up to 5 inches (13 centimeters) of rain before the storm subsides on Friday. The most significant risks are anticipated in the Los Angeles area, where fire-scarred hillsides may produce massive flows of ash, mud, and vegetation. Preparations are underway, including the installation of barriers and the clearing of debris basins, with over 700,000 sandbags placed across central and Southern California as preventative measures. A segment of the Pacific Coast Highway near the fire burn scar is also closed as a precaution.
