Headline
Severe Winter Weather Alerts Extend from Kansas to Washington D.C., Reporting the Most Affected Regions
Countless individuals in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions are under winter weather alerts this weekend, marking the first major winter event of the new year, as per the National Weather Service. This storm is anticipated to cause treacherous road conditions, thousands of flight cancellations, multiple days of heavy snowfall and ice, and record-breaking low temperatures across these areas.
Main Points
Initially, the storm hit the Central Plains, impacting areas in Kansas and Missouri, later in Saturday. It is expected to move through the Ohio and Tennessee valleys by Sunday, eventually reaching the Mid-Atlantic states by Sunday night, affecting states such as Virginia, D.C., and parts of the Philadelphia metro area.
A significant portion of the country, spanning from central Kansas to parts of Maryland, is forecasted to receive over half a foot of snow between Sunday and Tuesday morning, according to NWS estimates.
Southern Ohio and parts of the Mid-Atlantic, including D.C., are predicted to receive 6 to 12 inches of snow, the NWS stated, while some severe areas in Kansas and Missouri under blizzard warnings may witness up to 15 inches of snow, which has not been seen in over a decade.
The storm is also set to bring powerful winds: Blizzard warnings have been issued across central Kansas to southeastern Nebraska and northwestern Missouri, with wind gusts exceeding 40 miles per hour. Meanwhile, the Mid-Atlantic region can expect wind speeds ranging from 20 to 25 miles per hour.
The incoming storm will also bring potential significant ice buildup and freezing rain, from central Kansas to the central Appalachians, up until Monday. This is expected to cause widespread damage to trees and widespread power outages, with certain areas potentially experiencing over half an inch of ice accumulation.
The snow is predicted to start subsiding by Tuesday morning, according to the NWS.
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Affected States and Cities
Blizzard warnings are currently in effect in small parts of Nebraska and larger regions of Kansas and Missouri, such as the Kansas City area, until late Sunday evening. Winter storm warnings cover 15 states and D.C., as of Sunday afternoon, including substantial parts of Kansas, Missouri, central Illinois, southern Indiana, southern Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, southern Pennsylvania, and southern New Jersey. Various counties in Nebraska, Iowa, and North Carolina are also under these warnings. Major cities facing winter storm warnings include St. Louis, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Louisville, D.C., Baltimore, and the southern region of the Philadelphia area, although Philadelphia itself is only under a winter weather advisory.
Anticipated Snowfall
At least 8 inches of snow is estimated for southern Nebraska, much of Kansas, northern Missouri, central Illinois, southern Indiana, southern Ohio, northern West Virginia, southwestern Pennsylvania, northern Virginia, southern Maryland, D.C., and the Syracuse region in New York. The NWS also anticipates over 15 inches of snow in parts of Kansas and Missouri, while parts of West Virginia are projected to receive over a foot. The New York City area may also experience light snowfall on Monday, although the NWS suggests, “there's a possibility the snow stays to the south, and little to no snow falls at all”.
Impact on Travel
The NWS stated that travel may be “extremely hazardous” in areas with blizzard warnings, with some blizzard-prone areas facing impassable roads and significant disruptions in areas affected by heavy snow. Several portions of I-70 and other highways in Kansas were shut down on Saturday and Sunday, while authorities in multiple states, including Missouri, Ohio, Indiana, and elsewhere, urged residents in affected territories to avoid travel if possible.
Flight Cancellations and Delays
As of Sunday evening at around 7:30 p.m. EST, FlightAware data indicates that 1,644 US flights have been cancelled, while another 6,878 are facing delays. The hardest-hit airports are in Kansas City and St. Louis, with nearly 94% and 65% of Sunday’s departures having been cancelled, respectively. More than 28% of flights at Cincinnati's airport were also cancelled on Sunday, alongside 26% at Louisville and 23% at Indianapolis. More travel inconveniences are expected on Monday, with over 900 cancellations already logged, especially in the D.C. area, including 43% of departures at Reagan National and 24% at Washington Dulles and Baltimore. Major numbers of flights out of Kansas City, Cincinnati, Louisville, and Indianapolis are also cancelled on Monday.
Train Cancellations
Amtrak cancelled numerous Acela and Northeast Regional trains serving the northeastern US on Sunday evening and Monday, with trains between New York, D.C., and Virginia taking the most significant hits. More than a dozen trains from the Midwest, including routes connecting Chicago to St. Louis and Kansas City, were also cancelled on Sunday.
Power Outages
More than 45,000 customers are without power in Kentucky, along with over 30,000 each in Missouri and Illinois, according to Poweroutage.us.
The chill brought on by the storm could potentially make January 2023 the coldest it's been in the U.S. since 2011, as per the analysis of AccuWeather expert Paul Pastelok. He emphasized that this arctic blast isn't a fleeting one-to-three-day occurrence, but rather an event spanning numerous days.
Crucial Context
NOAA's winter prediction, issued in October, suggested a high likelihood of warmer temperatures than usual for the southwest, south, and east of the U.S. Conversely, the northern part of the continental U.S. was predicted to be wetter than average, with the southwest to the southeast, Gulf Coast, and lower Mid-Atlantic regions anticipating drier-than-average conditions. This forecast aligns with the warmest fall on record in the U.S., as per NOAA's 130-year climate data, with the average temperature falling at 57.6 degrees Fahrenheit, a significant 4.1 degrees higher than usual.
Additional Reading
- U.S. Winter Outlook: Warmer and drier South, wetter North (NOAA)
- Fall 2024 was nation’s warmest on record (NOAA)
- The storm moving eastward is predicted to bring sleet and ice to central Kansas until Monday, potentially causing widespread damage and power outages.
- The Mid-Atlantic states, such as Virginia and D.C., are expected to receive heavy snowfall, with up to 12 inches predicted by the National Weather Service.
- On Sunday, numerous Acela and Northeast Regional trains serving the northeastern US were cancelled due to the upcoming winter storm, causing travel inconveniences.
- The forecast for this winter weather event indicates significant snowfall and ice in the south, contrasting NOAA's earlier prediction of warmer temperatures in that region.
- Winter weather alerts cover a large portion of the country, extending from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic, including the east, and are expected to cause thousands of flight cancellations and delays.
