Heavy snow and blizzard warnings extend from Kansas to DC

Topline

Tens of millions of people in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic are under winter warnings this weekend as the first major winter storm of the new year brings dangerous travel conditions, several days of heavy snow and ice, and potentially record-breaking low temperatures, according to the National Weather Service.

Temperatures in Washington, DC are forecast to drop significantly by next week. (Photo by Kent … (+) Nishimura/Getty Images)

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Important facts

The storm first hit the Central Plains – including parts of Kansas and Missouri – late Saturday and is expected to move across the Ohio and Tennessee valleys on Sunday before moving into the Mid-Atlantic states and much of Virginia and Washington on Sunday night hits , DC, region and parts of the Greater Philadelphia area.

A wide swath of land stretching from central Kansas to parts of Maryland could see more than 20 inches of snow accumulate between Sunday and Tuesday morning, according to the NWS, which noted that some hard-hit areas of Kansas and Missouri may see more than 15 inches of snow could lie. “the heaviest in a decade.”

The NWS has also issued a blizzard warning covering much of central Kansas into southeastern Nebraska and northwestern Missouri, including the Kansas City area, with wind gusts exceeding 40 mph in parts of the region can occur.

Significant potential for icing and freezing rain is forecast for central Kansas and the central Appalachians through Monday. It is expected to cause widespread tree damage and power outages, with possible ice accumulation of more than half an inch in some parts.

The snow is expected to largely taper off by Tuesday morning, according to the NWS.

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Which states and cities will be hardest hit by the winter storm?

Southern Nebraska, much of Kansas, northern Missouri, central Illinois, southern Indiana, southern Ohio, northeastern West Virginia, southwestern Pennsylvania, the southern tip of Virginia, northern Maryland, Washington, DC will see at least 20 cm of snow forecast for Syracuse region in New York. Major metropolitan areas under blizzard or winter storm warnings include Kansas City, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Louisville, DC, Baltimore, and the southern reaches of the Philadelphia region (although the city of Philadelphia itself is under a winter weather warning).

Will travel be affected by the winter storm?

Yes. The NWS said in a statement Sunday that travel in areas with heavy snow or heavy icing could be “extremely dangerous,” with some areas facing “impassable” roads.

Where are flights delayed or canceled due to the storm?

About 870 U.S. flights were canceled Sunday and another 1,653 experienced delays, according to FlightAware data as of Sunday morning. The hardest-hit airports are in Kansas City and St. Louis, where more than half of departures have been canceled. Another 27% of flights from Cincinnati airport were canceled Sunday, as were 21% of flights from Louisville, 12% of flights from Indianapolis and 51% of flights from Wichita, Kansas.

Has Amtrak canceled trains?

Amtrak canceled dozens of Acela and Northeast Regional trains across the northeastern United States on Sunday evening and Monday, with trains between New York, DC and Virginia particularly hard hit. More than a dozen other trains in the Midwest — including routes connecting Chicago to St. Louis and Kansas City — were also canceled Sunday.

Surprising fact

Cold temperatures associated with the storm could make for the coldest January in the U.S. since 2011, according to AccuWeather expert Paul Pastelok, who noted that the Arctic storm’s onset “will take many days, not just a quick one to one.” will be a three-day event”. ”

Important background

NOAA’s winter outlook issued in October predicted good to probable chances for above-average seasonal temperatures this winter across the southwest, south and eastern U.S. Additionally, wet-than-average conditions were forecast for the northern half of the continental U.S. and drier-than-average conditions were forecast from much of the Southwest to the Southeast, the Gulf Coast and the lower mid-Atlantic regions. The forecasts follow the warmest fall the U.S. has experienced in NOAA’s 130-year climate record, with the average fall temperature reaching 57.6 degrees Fahrenheit, which was 4.1 degrees above average.

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