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  • A storm will bring heavy snow and dangerous ice from the Plains to the East Coast : NPR

    A storm will bring heavy snow and dangerous ice from the Plains to the East Coast : NPR


    The National Weather Service's Winter Storm Severity Index shows areas predicted to be impacted by the storm.

    The National Weather Service’s Winter Storm Severity Index shows areas predicted to be impacted by the storm.

    NWS Weather Prediction Center/Screenshot by NPR


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    NWS Weather Prediction Center/Screenshot by NPR

    The first weekend of 2025 will have the coldest air of the season, according to the National Weather Service. The first significant winter storm of the year will impact 62 million people starting Saturday afternoon and continuing into Monday.

    Heavy snow, ice, rain and severe thunderstorms will be unleashed from the Plains to the East Coast. While snow and ice has been limited to the northern states this winter, the upcoming storm will impact areas less prone to winter weather.

    “The major winter storm will bring significant disruptions to the Central Plains by late Saturday, spreading to the Ohio Valley on Sunday,” the NWS said.

    Travel delays are likely as the storm is forecast to reach the mid-Atlantic by Sunday night. Severe thunderstorms are expected in areas with warmer temperatures. The storm could also impact Texas and Mississippi, which are still recovering from last month’s deadly storms.

    States are gearing up for heavy snowfall and hazardous conditions 

    A nasty mix of sleet, snow and freezing rain is expected to disrupt travel and daily life in the central United States, according to the NWS Winter Storm Severity Index.

    The storm will begin with a deep surge of moist air moving north out of the Gulf of Mexico, which will spread rain and snow over the Plains. As it strengthens and expands, it will track east and spread into the Mississippi Valley and parts of the Midwest on Sunday morning, and reach the East Coast by Sunday night and Monday morning.

    Officials have already begun preparing for the worst. On Friday, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson put the National Guard on standby, and Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia declared a state of emergency. Youngkin has urged people to avoid traveling on Sunday.

    “I’m encouraging all Virginians, visitors, and travelers to stay alert, monitor the weather forecast, and prepare now for any potential impacts,” Youngkin said in a statement.

    Major cities such as Chicago, St. Louis and Washington, D.C., have also begun pretreating their roads and preparing warming centers.

    Near-blizzard conditions are expected in the Central Plains 

    Heavy snowfall and wind gusts of over 40 mph could create blizzard conditions in the Central Plains by Sunday morning. The region from central Kansas to Indiana may get at least 8 inches of snow, with potential lingering snow showers on Monday.

    The NWS Weather Prediction Center said that the most extreme conditions will likely be in places running along the Interstate 70 Corridor, which passes through St. Louis and Indianapolis.

    There is also “significant icing potential” in the mid-South this weekend, according to forecasters. Icing is when rain freezes on contact with the ground. It can also affect cars and car windows — essentially any surface outside.

    A thin layer of ice can cause dangerous road conditions for vehicles and pedestrians. Thicker layers of ice can cause power outages and make roads impassable. Last year, a January ice storm left thousands without power, and first responders struggled to get to those who needed help.

    Thunderstorms expected in warmer climates

    States too warm for snow will also experience extreme weather. Severe thunderstorms are likely on Sunday in parts of Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi, according to the NWS Storm Prediction Center.

    The Southeast is expected to see the heaviest rainfall, and the storm could cause flooding. There is also an enhanced risk of thunderstorms in parts of the lower Mississippi Valley on Sunday.

    This storm is expected to pass by late Monday. It will exit the East Coast on Monday night and fully diminish its impact overnight. But temperatures are expected to plunge on Tuesday. The eastern two-thirds of the U.S. will see temperatures 30 degrees below normal, and the frigid air could last until mid-January.





    Get ready for a winter wallop as a powerful storm system is set to bring heavy snow and dangerous ice from the Plains to the East Coast. Meteorologists are predicting significant snowfall totals and icy conditions that could make travel treacherous in the coming days.

    From the Midwest to the Northeast, residents are being urged to prepare for the storm by stocking up on essentials, checking their heating systems, and staying off the roads if possible. The National Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings and advisories for a large swath of the country, with some areas expected to see over a foot of snow.

    The storm is expected to bring a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain, creating hazardous conditions for drivers and pedestrians alike. In addition to the wintry precipitation, gusty winds could lead to power outages and downed trees.

    Stay tuned to your local news stations and weather forecasts for the latest updates on this potentially dangerous storm. And remember to stay safe and warm as winter weather wreaks havoc across the country.

    Tags:

    storm, heavy snow, dangerous ice, Plains, East Coast, weather, winter storm, blizzard, NPR, snowstorm, ice storm, severe weather, travel advisory, winter weather advisory, snowfall, freezing rain

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  • 60 million under weather alerts as winter storm aims for Plains to mid-Atlantic

    60 million under weather alerts as winter storm aims for Plains to mid-Atlantic


    Around 60 million people are under weather alerts from the Plains to the mid-Atlantic as a winter storm threatens to slam the regions with heavy snow and crippling ice.

    The developing low-pressure system is forecast to affect the regions for the next three days, and includes cities such as Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Kansas City, Omaha, St. Louis and Indianapolis.

    The Rocky Mountains and the central and northern Plains will be hit by heavy snow, strong winds and freezing rain. Cities expected to be affected include Wichita, Kansas; Kansas City; and Omaha, Nebraska. Blizzard-like conditions are possible due to the combination of heavy snow and strong wind gusts.

    “A wintry mix could start as early as this afternoon and transition to snow Sunday afternoon,” the National Weather Service field office in Kansas City said on X. “Wind gusts around 35-40 mph on Sunday could yield possible blizzard conditions.”

    By Sunday morning, the system will shift over the central Plains, bringing heavy snow and ice from Kansas through the mid-Mississippi Valley. The storm system will gradually shift east through the day, with the biggest impacts in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky.

    Sunday will also bring a severe weather risk across the lower Mississippi Valley, putting 7 million people at risk for tornadoes, damaging wind and hail in cities including Jackson, Mississippi; and Baton Rouge, Shreveport and Lake Charles, Louisiana.

    Snow will arrive in the mid-Atlantic and central Appalachians overnight into Monday morning. These showers will linger through Monday, ending by Tuesday morning as the system moves offshore. Areas forecast to be affected Monday include Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

    Kansas, Missouri and Illinois are forecast to receive the highest snowfall totals of anywhere, with 9 to 16 inches. A general 4 to 9 inches of snowfall will stretch from parts of Illinois to the mid-Atlantic, with higher accumulations possible in parts of the central Appalachians.

    Significant icing will stretch from Kansas through Virginia, where power outages, tree damage and impossible travel conditions can be expected. Generally, totals will range from 0.1 to 0.4 inches of ice, with extreme amounts of 0.5 to 0.75 inches possible in parts of Missouri, southern Illinois and Kentucky.

    In the wake of this system, a significant drop in temperatures is anticipated for the eastern two-thirds of the country. Highs will drop 10 to 25 degrees below average starting Sunday and lasting through Friday. Highs will range from the single digits and teens across the Plains and Midwest, and in the 20s to 30s in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast.

    The most extreme temperatures will be in the northern Plains, where overnight lows will dip as low as minus 20, with wind chill values around minus 40. Cold weather advisories are in place from eastern Montana through Minnesota.



    Get ready, because a massive winter storm is heading towards the Plains and mid-Atlantic regions, putting a staggering 60 million people under weather alerts. This storm is expected to bring heavy snow, strong winds, and frigid temperatures, making travel treacherous and potentially causing power outages.

    Residents in states such as Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York should prepare for the worst as this powerful storm makes its way across the country. It’s crucial to stay informed, heed any evacuation orders, and take all necessary precautions to stay safe during this extreme weather event.

    Make sure to stock up on essentials, such as food, water, and batteries, and check in on your neighbors, especially those who may be vulnerable during severe weather. Stay updated on the latest forecasts and warnings from local authorities and be ready to act quickly if conditions deteriorate.

    Let’s all come together to weather this storm and support each other through this challenging time. Stay safe, stay warm, and stay informed as we face this winter storm together.

    Tags:

    1. winter storm
    2. weather alerts
    3. severe weather
    4. mid-Atlantic
    5. Plains region
    6. blizzard warnings
    7. snow storm
    8. extreme cold
    9. emergency preparedness
    10. winter weather advisory

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  • Massive winter storm to spread snow and ice from Plains to East Coast

    Massive winter storm to spread snow and ice from Plains to East Coast


    A massive storm will spread snow and ice along a 1,500-mile-long zone from vast portions of the Plains and Mississippi Valley to many areas of the Appalachians and the Atlantic coast from this weekend to early next week, AccuWeather meteorologists warn. Widespread travel problems will unfold and bitterly cold air will follow in many areas.

    The storm is shaping up to be the first widespread cross-country winter storm of the season for the central and eastern United States and will negatively affect travel during the final days of the holiday break.

    At this time, a major snowstorm is forecast from a large part of Nebraska to southern and central Ohio and West Virginia. Enough snow to shovel and plow (3-6 inches or more) will extend for about 1,000 miles from western Nebraska to West Virginia.

    Heavy snow, where 6-12 inches and locally higher amounts are forecast, will extend from northern Kansas and southeastern Nebraska to southern Ohio, encompassing much of the Interstate 70 corridor. Major cities likely to pick up many inches of snow include Topeka, Kansas; St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri; Springfield, Illinois; Indianapolis and Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio. An AccuWeather Local StormMax of 22 inches is most likely to occur somewhere from northern Missouri to west-central Illinois to northeastern Kansas.

    Exactly how much snow falls in Kansas City and St. Louis, will depend on the amount of sleet and freezing rain that occur. Where all snow falls, the snow accumulation may be boosted by several inches.

    Just south of the snow zone, an area of ice containing sleet and freezing rain will extend from roughly I-40 to near I-70 from the Plains to the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys. Kansas City, Missouri; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Springfield, Missouri, could be in for a substantial amount of ice that brings dangerous travel conditions.

    The zone from southeastern Kansas to southern Missouri, southern Illinois and southern and central Kentucky could face a destructive ice storm, where a heavy glaze of ice may bring down many trees and power lines that can block roads. The power could be out for days at a time in some communities when dangerously cold air invades in the wake of the storm. There may be a great need for shelters to be set up to account for the population that could be affected.

    As the storm reaches the Appalachians and the Atlantic coast, the area that could receive accumulating snow from the storm will extend from near I-68 to near I-80. Some major hubs in the Northeast are included in this zone, including New York City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Baltimore.

    The icy zone may extend across portions of North Carolina, eastern Tennessee and the southern parts of Virginia and could involve Richmond, Virginia; Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Raleigh, North Carolina.

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    As the storm continues to press to the east, the area of snow and ice will become more dependent on a separate storm over southeastern Canada. That eastern Canada storm could force the U.S. storm and the zones of snow and ice farther south rather than allow the U.S. storm and its freezing and frozen precipitation to climb north along the Atlantic coast.

    A more southern track could mean dry conditions in New York City and Philadelphia, snow for Raleigh, Richmond and Washington, D.C., and ice or a wintry mix for Atlanta, Charlotte and Greenville, South Carolina.

    The storm is likely to be potent enough to trigger thunderstorms south of the track, and some of those storms in the I-10 and I-20 corridors could be severe.

    As the cross-country storm rides an expanding zone of Arctic air, frigid conditions will pour into the Southern states in its wake, bringing some of the lowest temperatures in years before the middle of January.

    More far-reaching winter storms may follow in the pattern, and one or more could send snow and ice toward the Gulf Coast states.

    One such storm is being watched for that later next week. That same storm could begin near the Gulf and travel north, bringing snow and ice along the Atlantic coast.

    Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.



    Get ready for a major winter storm heading towards the East Coast! A massive system is set to bring heavy snow and ice from the Plains all the way to the East Coast, impacting millions of people along the way.

    Meteorologists are warning of hazardous conditions, with snowfall expected to be particularly heavy in the Midwest and Northeast regions. Ice accumulation is also likely, posing a risk for power outages and dangerous road conditions.

    Whether you’re in the heart of the storm or on the outskirts, it’s important to take precautions and stay safe. Make sure to stock up on essentials, check in on vulnerable neighbors, and avoid unnecessary travel if possible.

    Stay tuned to local news and weather updates for the latest information on the storm’s path and intensity. And most importantly, stay warm and stay safe as this winter storm makes its way across the country.

    Tags:

    1. Winter storm forecast
    2. Snow and ice storm
    3. Extreme weather alert
    4. East Coast snowstorm
    5. Winter storm warning
    6. Severe winter weather
    7. Blizzard conditions
    8. Travel disruptions
    9. Snow accumulation
    10. Winter weather advisory

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