{"id":7253,"date":"2025-01-06T02:01:17","date_gmt":"2025-01-06T02:01:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/investingsstrategist.com\/index.php\/2025\/01\/06\/major-winter-storm-bears-down-on-americas-midsection-as-millions-face-snow-ice-or-heavy-rain\/"},"modified":"2025-01-06T02:01:17","modified_gmt":"2025-01-06T02:01:17","slug":"major-winter-storm-bears-down-on-americas-midsection-as-millions-face-snow-ice-or-heavy-rain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/investingsstrategist.com\/index.php\/2025\/01\/06\/major-winter-storm-bears-down-on-americas-midsection-as-millions-face-snow-ice-or-heavy-rain\/","title":{"rendered":"Major winter storm bears down on America\u2019s midsection, as millions face snow, ice or heavy rain"},"content":{"rendered":"

More than 60 million people are under winter alerts nationwide, with <\/strong>a powerful weather system expected to bring a potent mix of snow, ice and blizzard conditions, accompanied by winds gusting up to 50 mph. <\/p>\n

The winter storm, which has already caused snowy and icy conditions in the Central Plains, will create treacherous travel conditions and potential power outages across a vast region stretching from Kansas to the mid-Atlantic. <\/p>\n

\u201cFor some, this could be the heaviest snowfall in over a decade,\u201d NOAA\u2019s Weather Prediction Center warned. <\/p>\n

Major effects, including \u201cconsiderable disruptions to daily life \u2026 dangerous or impossible driving conditions and widespread closures,\u201d are expected from this storm through Monday in parts of the Central and Eastern US, according to the Winter Storm Severity Index. <\/p>\n

What to expect when<\/h2>\n

Of the 60 million people under winter alerts, nearly 4 million are under blizzard warnings across much of eastern Kansas and western Missouri, with a dangerous combination of snow, ice and freezing rain ongoing across Kansas, Missouri, southern Illinois and Indiana and western Kentucky. In addition, thundersnow and thundersleet are being observed. <\/p>\n

Throughout the day, the storm will spread east into the Ohio River Valley, then reach the mid-Atlantic later Sunday into much of Monday. <\/p>\n

\n

Kansas City, Missouri: Blizzard warning until 12 a.m. CT Monday, peaking Sunday afternoon. Total snowfall expected between 8 and 14 inches with a glaze of ice and winds gusting to 45 mph.
\nSt. Louis: Winter storm warning until 7 a.m. ET Monday, peaking Sunday morning through Sunday evening. Heavy mixed precipitation, icy at first turning to snow. Total snow and sleet accumulations 5 and 9 inches and very light sleet accumulations.
\nIndianapolis: Winter storm warning through 7 p.m. ET Monday, peaking 1 p.m. Sunday \u2013 7 a.m. ET Monday. Heavy mixed precipitation with total snow accumulations between 6 and 9 inches along with a glaze of ice.
\nLouisville, Kentucky: Winter storm warning through 7 p.m. ET Monday peaking noon Sunday to 7 a.m. ET Monday, with a secondary snow burst Monday afternoon and evening. Heavy mixed precipitation with total snow accumulations between 5 and 9 inches along with ice accumulations up to three-fourths of an inch.
\nCincinnati: Winter storm warning through 12 a.m. ET Tuesday peaking noon Sunday to 7 a.m. ET Monday, with a secondary snow burst Monday afternoon and evening. Heavy mixed precipitation with total snow accumulations between 6 and 12 inches along with ice accumulations up to .1 inch.
\nCharleston, West Virginia: Winter storm warning through 1 a.m. ET Tuesday peaking 1 p.m. Sunday \u2013 1 p.m. Monday ET, with a secondary snow burst Monday afternoon and evening. Heavy mixed precipitation with total snow accumulations between 4 and 7 inches along with ice accumulations between 1\/2 and 1 inch.
\nWashington, DC: Winter storm warning 10 p.m. Sunday through 1 a.m. ET Tuesday, peaking 1 a.m. \u2013 10 p.m. Monday. ET. Snow mixed with sleet with total snow accumulations between 6 and 10 inches, with some suburban areas potentially getting up to a foot. A trace of ice accumulation.
\nPhiladelphia: Winter weather advisory 1 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET Monday, peaking between 6 a.m. \u2013 6 p.m. ET. Snow accumulations between 2 and 4 inches.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Ice could cause hazardous conditions<\/h2>\n

Meanwhile, an ice storm warning remains in effect until noon CST Monday for areas of southern Illinois, western Kentucky and southeast Missouri. Travel of any kind in those areas is \u201cstrongly discouraged,\u201d as the bridges and overpasses are likely to \u201cbecome slick and hazardous,\u201d according to the Weather Service. <\/p>\n

The greatest risk of dangerous ice will set up just south of the snowiest areas. Significant icing is possible from Kansas and Missouri through the central Appalachians and potentially parts of Maryland and Delaware. <\/p>\n

The National Weather Service said \u201csignificant icing\u201d is expected. <\/p>\n

\u201cTotal snow and sleet accumulations up to two inches and ice accumulations between one quarter and three quarters of an inch,\u201d The National Weather Service said. \u201cPersons should delay all travel if possible. If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution and be prepared for sudden changes in visibility.\u201d <\/p>\n

The weather service in Topeka, Kansas, warned against traveling in the icy conditions. <\/p>\n

\u201cIf you are thinking about hitting the road today, think again. Snowplows are getting stuck. Emergency vehicles are getting stuck. If you get stuck, it may be over 24 hours until someone can get to you,\u201d the National Weather Service office in Topeka said on X. \u201cTemperatures will fall below zero tonight. Do not risk it.\u201d <\/p>\n

He encountered multiple wrecks and was stalled in traffic for two hours just outside of Salina, Kansas. \u201cTwo semi-trucks jackknifed and blocked a westbound lane on Interstate 70,\u201d Cho said. After turning back and overnighting in Abilene, he found himself still stuck. <\/p>\n

\u201cSnow is everywhere,\u201d Cho said in a video Sunday morning. \u201cI pray to God I can get home tomorrow.\u201d <\/p>\n

The Kansas Turnpike Authority posted photos on X of crashed vehicles near Andover on Sunday afternoon. <\/p>\n

\u201cCabin fever must be setting in based upon the dozen or so crashes in the last few hours,\u201d it said. \u201cSnow plow and trooper\u2019s vehicle also hit; luckily no injuries.\u201d The authority advised residents to shelter in place as \u201cit sure beats waiting on help to rescue you.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cConditions are getting a little worse here,\u201d Pritchett said. <\/p>\n

Pritchett said he had left Iowa and was traveling on Interstate 29 when the winter storm forced him to pull off the road with his truck and trailer to get somewhere safe. <\/p>\n

Ice amounts of 0.25 inches or more are possible, especially in parts of southern Missouri, southern Illinois, southern Indiana and almost all of Kentucky. <\/p>\n

Any amount of ice is dangerous; just a thin layer \u2013 a light glaze to just over 0.10 inches \u2013 can turn paved surfaces into skating rinks, causing people to slip and vehicles to slide out of control. <\/p>\n

Power outages could be widespread and long-lasting if significant icing occurs and power restoration crews can\u2019t navigate treacherous roads. The situation could be dangerous or potentially deadly for those without access to heat in the extreme cold to come. <\/p>\n

States prepare<\/h2>\n

Ahead of the storm, the governors of Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Arkansas, Missouri and New Jersey declared states of emergency, while Maryland\u2019s governor declared a state of preparedness. <\/p>\n

\u201cThis winter storm will likely cause significant disruption and dangerous conditions on our roads and could cause significant power outages \u2013 just 24 hours before it gets dangerously cold,\u201d Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said, according to a release from his office. <\/p>\n

Beshear posted on X Sunday, ordering all state office buildings will be closed Monday \u201cdue to inclement weather.\u201d <\/p>\n

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said a state of emergency would take effect in parts of the state from 10 p.m. \u201cThroughout our state, we are experiencing severe winter weather resulting in hazardous conditions, with snowfall expected to reach a high of six to eight inches in our southern counties,\u201d Murphy said in a statement. <\/p>\n

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin advised those with post-holiday travel plans to consider leaving on Saturday instead of Sunday, given the projected size of the storm. <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m encouraging all Virginians, visitors, and travelers to stay alert, monitor the weather forecast, and prepare now for any potential impacts,\u201d Youngkin said Friday. <\/p>\n

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore\u2019s office said in a Saturday news release the state is preparing for the storm, which will \u201clikely affect roads and transportation centers and could cause significant snow accumulation in some parts of the state.\u201d <\/p>\n

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly \u201cissued a verbal state of disaster emergency proclamation,\u201d Saturday afternoon, citing severe winter weather as a cause for concern, according to a news release. <\/p>\n

He said the storm comes at a time when western North Carolina is still recovering from Hurricane Helene, noting 8,000 bridges need repairs, keeping homeowners isolated from their communities. \u201cWe need to help them to reconnect to their property,\u201d along with emergency services. <\/p>\n

The winter storm is due to hit Washington, DC, overnight as Congress prepares to certify the 2024 presidential election results Monday. <\/p>\n

Mayor Muriel Bowser told a news conference Sunday afternoon the top priority is getting the city fully opened as soon as possible and urged people to give snowplow teams space to work. \u201cIf you don\u2019t need to be on the roads tonight and tomorrow, stay home. Please stay off our roads,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n

US federal government offices in Washington, DC, will be closed Monday due to snow, according to the Office of Personnel Management. The closure will not affect Congress. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been plowing and salting the roads all day. We have over 200 people that are working hard on our snow team across the entire city,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re going to keep at it with the freezing temperatures that are projected for the entire week. This is a particularly challenging storm, but we\u2019re going to stay at it.\u201d <\/p>\n

The local power company had 1,000 people on standby to work on outages, he said. <\/p>\n

As of Sunday evening, more than 113,000 customers were without power in the central US, according to PowerOutage.us. About 31,000 of those affected were in Missouri and 2,400 in Kansas. Another approximately 37,700 customers were without power in Kentucky, 32,900 in Illinois, 1,400 in Indiana and 2,600 in Ohio, according to the site. <\/p>\n

\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

On Saturday, a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper pleaded for people to not go on the roads as crashes had been reported. <\/p>\n

\u201cPlease please please, stay home. This is not the time to go out and venture and take in the sights and see the scenery,\u201d Trooper Ben Gardner said on X. \u201cThis is the time when we stay home.\u201d <\/p>\n

More than 1,500 flights around the US had been canceled and more than 7,100 delayed Sunday as of 8:05 p.m. ET, per flight tracking site FlightAware. <\/p>\n

At Kansas City International Airport, 94% of outbound flights and 90% of inbound flights were canceled, according to the website. The airport reopened runways after temporarily halting flights on Saturday due to ice. <\/p>\n

More than half of outgoing flights and incoming flights at St. Louis Lambert International Airport were canceled by Sunday afternoon, according to FlightAware. <\/p>\n

At Cincinnati\/Northern Kentucky International Airport, 28% of outbound flights \u2013 46 flights \u2013 and 49% of inbound flights, or 76 flights, were canceled, FlightAware said. <\/p>\n

At Columbia Regional Airport in Columbia, Missouri, there were no flights scheduled Sunday by American Airlines, which serves the small airport. <\/p>\n

\u201cDue to deteriorating conditions, American Airlines does not have any commercial flights scheduled to land or take off from Columbia Regional Airport on Sunday, Jan. 5,\u201d the airport said in a statement on its website Sunday morning. <\/p>\n

As blizzard conditions began in Topeka, Kansas, on Sunday, strong winds caused snow gusts throughout the area, as seen in video shared by the National Weather Service office in Topeka on Sunday morning. <\/p>\n

\u201cMore of this can be expected through the day with drifting snow making travel nearly impossible. Stay home and stay safe,\u201d the weather service in Topeka said on X. <\/p>\n

The National Weather Service in St. Louis shared NOAA satellite imagery Sunday morning showing green splotches of lightning flashes. <\/p>\n

\u201cThat means\u2026 we are getting thundersnow\/thundersleet! This just underscores that snow\/sleet rates are pretty heavy \u2013 avoid travel if at all possible!\u201d the weather service posted on X. <\/p>\n

Potentially historic January snowfall totals<\/h2>\n

Those with a Monday commute in places like Washington, DC, and Philadelphia might run into hazardous driving conditions as the storm is predicted to lay down several inches of snow. All District of Columbia Public Schools will be closed Monday due to weather conditions, the district said in a post on X Sunday. <\/p>\n

The highest snow totals will pile up in the coldest areas, likely in parts of Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia. Totals will be lower in areas where warmer air generates sleet and ice instead of snow. <\/p>\n

This storm will be capable of unleashing more than a foot of snow and enough ice to knock out power just as the coldest temperatures of the season arrive in its wake. The storm\u2019s forecast has also put several major cities on alert for potentially historic January snowfall totals. <\/p>\n

St. Louis has seen only four days when more than a foot of snow fell in a day, a feat which could happen Sunday. <\/p>\n

Snow totals could range from an inch to more than a foot in parts of Missouri, depending on the storm\u2019s track. This variable forecast extends to neighboring states as well, where some regions may see snowfall approaching record-breaking levels for January. <\/p>\n

Kansas City and Indianapolis are among the metropolitan areas bracing for exceptional snow accumulations. <\/p>\n

Kansas City could surpass its January record of 7.2 inches, set in 2011, while Indianapolis is also in the storm\u2019s crosshairs, with forecasts suggesting the possibility of surpassing its January record of 11.4 inches, set in 2014. <\/p>\n

Thunderstorms in the South<\/h2>\n

Those in the South can expect rain and some embedded thunderstorms as a result of this massive winter storm. A level 3 of 5 threat of severe thunderstorms is in place Sunday for parts of Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi, according to the Storm Prediction Center. <\/p>\n

Damaging wind gusts and hail are the most likely threats from any severe thunderstorm but tornadoes are also possible. <\/p>\n

The National Weather Service in Little Rock, Arkansas, confirmed in a Facebook post Sunday afternoon a tornado had been recorded near Avery in Lincoln County around 3.05 p.m. ET. <\/p>\n

A tornado outbreak, including multiple rated EF3s, rocked parts of the South in late December. <\/p>\n

The massive storm will finally exit the East Coast late Monday and fully diminish in impact overnight. But Tuesday, temperature drops of as much as 30 degrees below normal for the eastern two-thirds of the US will lock in whatever snow and ice fall from the storm. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n

This post appeared first on cnn.com<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

More than 60 million people are under winter alerts nationwide, with a powerful weather system expected to bring a potent mix of snow, ice and blizzard conditions, accompanied by winds gusting up to 50 mph. The winter storm, which has already caused snowy and icy conditions in the Central Plains, will create treacherous travel conditions […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":7254,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7253","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/investingsstrategist.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7253","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/investingsstrategist.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/investingsstrategist.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/investingsstrategist.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7253"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/investingsstrategist.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7253\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/investingsstrategist.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7254"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/investingsstrategist.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7253"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/investingsstrategist.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7253"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/investingsstrategist.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7253"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}