Topline
Title: Winter Blizzard Impacts Mid-Atlantic, Leading to School Closures – Check Out Which States Are Affected Most
Millions residing in the Mid-Atlantic region grapple with winter weather warnings as the year's first significant snowstorm advances eastward, according to the National Weather Service. This weather phenomenon results in treacherous travel conditions, thousands of cancelled flights, several days of substantial snowfall and ice buildup, and potentially record-breaking low temperatures.
Key Facts
This winter storm initially impacted the Central Plains, specifically Kansas and Missouri, on Saturday night. It then moved across the Ohio and Tennessee valleys on Sunday and is now anticipated to affect the Mid-Atlantic on Monday.
The National Weather Service's Monday morning update reveals that the winter storm will continue to cause "severe travel delays" in parts of West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., and Delaware.
Approximately half a foot of snow could accumulate across a large portion of the country stretching from central Kansas to parts of Maryland between Sunday and Tuesday morning, according to NWS forecasts. Southern Ohio and parts of the Mid-Atlantic, including Washington D.C., are forecast to receive 6-12 inches of snow, the NWS reported. Moreover, some hard-hit areas of Kansas and Missouri under blizzard warnings may witness over 15 inches—the most in over a decade.
Moreover, heavy wind is anticipated: The NWS issued blizzard warnings across central Kansas into southeastern Nebraska and northwestern Missouri, with wind gusts exceeding 40 miles per hour, and the Mid-Atlantic faces possible 20-25 mile-per-hour gusts.
Significant icing and freezing rain potential is expected for central Kansas through the central Appalachians into Monday. This weather event is projected to lead to widespread tree damage and power outages, with specific areas even experiencing more than a half-inch of ice accumulation.
The snow should cease by Tuesday morning, as per the NWS's forecast.
States and Cities Facing Storm Warnings
Storm warnings extend across 10 states and Washington D.C., as of Monday morning, including significant portions of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, southern Pennsylvania, and southern New Jersey. A limited number of counties in the northern part of North Carolina are also under warnings. Kansas and Missouri remain under a cold weather advisory after being hit by a blizzard on Sunday night. The major urban areas facing winter storm warnings include Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Louisville, Washington D.C., Baltimore, and the southern reaches of the Philadelphia area—although the city of Philadelphia itself is only under a winter weather advisory.
School Closures
Major public school districts in Washington D.C., Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Maryland, and Virginia have announced that classes will be cancelled on Monday due to the inclement weather. Kentucky’s Jefferson County Public Schools stated that Monday's closure will be treated like a regular "snow day," with no online classes.
Anticipated Snowfall Amounts
At least 8 inches of snow is predicted for southern Nebraska, major portions 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 projects over 15 inches of snow in parts of Kansas and Missouri, while West Virginia could receive over a foot. The New York City area could also experience light snowfall on Monday, but as the NWS mentioned, “it's very possible the snow stays south, and not much snow falls at all.”
Impact on Travel
Yes, travel will be impacted. The NWS declared that travel could be “extremely hazardous” in areas with blizzard warnings, and significant disruptions are expected in areas hit by heavy snow. Portions of I-70 and other highways in Kansas were closed on Saturday and Sunday, and officials in several states, including Missouri, Ohio, Indiana, and elsewhere, urged people in those regions to avoid traveling if at all possible.
Cancelled and Delayed Flights
As of Monday morning, more than 1,000 U.S. flights had been cancelled, with 500 delayed flights, according to FlightAware data. Over 2,300 U.S. flights were cancelled on Sunday, with 11,000 delayed flights. Airports in the D.C. area are the most affected on Monday morning, with over 400 departing flights and 300 incoming flights cancelled at Reagan National, Baltimore/Washington International, and Dulles International. On Sunday, 90% of all flights into and out of the Kansas City Airport were cancelled, and St. Louis was also significantly impacted with a 67% cancellation rate.
Amtrak Train Cancellations
Amtrak cancelled dozens of Acela and Northeast Regional trains serving the northeastern United States on Sunday evening and Monday, with trains between New York, D.C., and Virginia especially hard-hit. Over a dozen other trains serving the Midwest—including routes connecting Chicago to St. Louis and Kansas City—were also cancelled on Sunday.
Power Outages
Over 100,000 customers are without power in Kentucky, in addition to over 70,000 in Indiana, 50,000 in Illinois, and over 30,000 each in Missouri and West Virginia, according to Poweroutage.us.
Unusual Fact
The cold temperatures accompanying the storm could lead to the coldest January in the U.S. since 2011, according to AccuWeather expert Paul Pastelok, who explained that the storm's arctic outbreak will involve multiple days instead of just a quick one or three-day event.
- Due to the approaching storm, the Mid-Atlantic region is under a winter weather alert, warning of severe travel delays, multiple days of snowfall, and potential record-breaking low temperatures.
- The weather service forecasts significant icing and freezing rain potential from central Kansas to the central Appalachians, leading to widespread tree damage and power outages, with some areas even experiencing over a half-inch of ice accumulation.
- The storm initially impacted the Central Plains on Saturday night, moving across the Ohio and Tennessee valleys on Sunday, and is now predicted to affect the Mid-Atlantic on Monday, with southern Ohio and parts of the Mid-Atlantic expecting 6-12 inches of snow.
- Travel will be extremely hazardous in areas with blizzard warnings, and significant disruptions are expected, with ports of I-70 and other highways in Kansas closed on Saturday and Sunday.
- Over 1,000 flights have been cancelled, and 500 are delayed, primarily at airports in the D.C. area, as a result of the storm affecting travel and causing significant cancellations and delays.
