A major winter storm is intensifying across the United States, threatening over 55 million people in the eastern half of the country with hazardous conditions. Meteorologists are warning of heavy snow, icy roads, and plunging temperatures, as the dangerous storm is expected to last through Monday.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued winter storm warnings and advisories from Montana in the northwest, all the way to the coastal states of Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia. As the storm intensifies, parts of New York and Pennsylvania are bracing for lake-effect snow from the Great Lakes, with some areas receiving up to two feet of snow. AccuWeather forecasts even higher totals, with the snow depth possibly exceeding four feet in certain locations.
By early Sunday, blizzard conditions are expected to hit the Central Plains, with whiteout conditions making travel extremely difficult. The NWS has warned that roads may become impassable, and there is a high risk of motorists becoming stranded. Snowfall amounts of up to 12 inches are expected from Kansas to Missouri and Ohio, marking the heaviest snow in some regions in over a decade.
Washington, D.C., and its neighboring areas are also in the storm’s path, with up to 10 inches of snow possible. Temperatures are set to plummet, with many states experiencing temperatures below zero Fahrenheit (-18 Celsius). Strong wind gusts will worsen the conditions, making the cold even more dangerous.
In addition to snow, another significant threat from the storm is freezing rain and sleet, particularly from Kansas eastward to West Virginia and Virginia. Ice accumulation on roads could make travel hazardous, down trees and power lines, and cause widespread power outages, affecting millions of people.
State of emergency declarations have been made in Missouri and Virginia, with governors warning residents of the severe conditions. The Appalachian Mountains, still recovering from a deadly hurricane in September, are expected to face particularly treacherous weather, with Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky emphasizing the storm’s potential for power outages and dangerous road conditions in the region.
Authorities are urging the public to stay indoors, monitor weather updates, and avoid travel if possible as this powerful winter storm continues to move across the country.
Sources By Agencies
