Severe Winter Storm Brings Historic Snowfall Across the US
A significant winter storm is impacting large regions of the United States, particularly from Kansas to New Jersey, resulting in heavy snowfall, icy conditions, and dangerously low temperatures. The National Weather Service has reported that areas in central Kansas and Indiana could receive up to 8 inches (20 centimeters) of snow, marking what is anticipated to be the most substantial snowfall in nearly a decade.
As the storm progresses, more than a dozen states are under various weather warnings, affecting approximately 60 million residents. In response to the hazardous conditions, several governors, including those from Kansas, Kentucky, Arkansas, West Virginia, and Virginia, have declared states of emergency.
According to the National Weather Service's forecast, there is a 60-90% probability of receiving at least 8 inches of snow in the regions north of Interstate 70, particularly between central Kansas and Indiana. The storm has also brought blizzard-like conditions, with wind gusts reaching up to 45 mph (72.42 kph) in affected areas such as Kansas and Missouri. New Jersey is also under storm warnings in anticipation of severe weather conditions expected to hit on Monday and Tuesday.
While snowfall is creating treacherous travel conditions, other states such as Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas are currently under a tornado watch due to the unpredictable nature of the storm. Earlier, Mississippi was also placed under similar alerts.
Kentucky's Governor Andy Beshear has urged residents to remain indoors, as multiple vehicle accidents have been reported across the state. In Virginia, authorities noted at least 135 traffic incidents attributed to the storm, with some injuries reported but no fatalities confirmed. Missouri has experienced significant challenges as well, with police responding to nearly 600 stranded motorists and 285 accidents.
The impact of the storm extends to air travel, with FlightAware reporting almost 2,200 flight cancellations and over 25,000 delays across the country. Although the storm is expected to move off the coast in the coming days, icy temperatures will persist until at least Tuesday, prompting several school districts to close on Monday. Public schools in Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Washington, and Philadelphia are among those opting for closure.
Washington, D.C. is poised to experience severe weather as it falls within the storm's trajectory, coinciding with the first meeting of the newly convened Congress to officially confirm the electoral victory of Donald Trump.
