The Associated Press, by Heather Hollingsworth and Brian Witte
Forecasters warned that a significant, disruptive winter storm with the dreaded combo of snow, ice, and freezing temperatures was moving across the central United States on Sunday.
In Kansas and Missouri, where blizzard conditions are predicted to reach New Jersey, the National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings.
According to the NWS, travel in the two states under blizzard warnings could be extremely challenging to impossible due to snow being blown around by strong winds that would reduce visibility. Tree branches could fall amid gusty gusts.
Avoid traveling until absolutely must! NWS said.
Around the North Pole, the polar vortex of extremely cold air typically remains trapped and rotates like a top. However, occasionally it escapes or spreads to the United States, Europe, or Asia, where it causes severe cold symptoms for a large number of people.
Research indicates a rapidly warming A portion of the blame for the rise in polar vortex stretching or wandering falls on the Arctic.
Snow and ice in the forecast
By Saturday night, there was a good chance of widespread, heavy snowfall between central Kansas and Indiana, particularly north and along Interstate 70. By the afternoon, a portion of the freeway in central Kansas was closed. Up to 14 inches (35.6 cm) of snow and sleet were expected to accumulate overall in portions of Kansas and northern Missouri.
According to the forecast, there will be significant travel difficulties as the storm moved into the Ohio Valley. A hard freeze is even predicted as far south as Florida when it moves into the Mid-Atlantic states on Sunday and Monday.
The National Weather Service warned that when the storm system moves into the Lower Mississippi Valley, severe thunderstorms with the potential for hail and tornadoes might also occur ahead of the storm system’s cold front.
A lake effect event that is predicted to continue until late Sunday afternoon dumped at least three feet (0.9 meters) of snow on parts of upstate New York.
Car wrecks start as storm hits
West of Salina, Kansas, a fire truck, multiple tractor-trailers, and passenger cars flipped. According to state Highway Patrol Trooper Ben Gardner, rigs also jackknifed and plunged into ditches.
He uploaded a video of his boots sliding like ice skates on the blacktop of the highway.
As Gardner drove to the scene of a collision, he declared, “We are in it now.” He posted a prayer request and a warning that certain roads were almost inaccessible online.
In Wichita, Kansas, freezing rain caused many collisions in the morning, prompting police to advise drivers to stay at home if at all possible and to keep an eye out for emergency vehicles.
On Saturday, January 4, 2024, in Salina, Kansas, an automobile is stuck between two trucks in icy conditions, according to a picture made public by the Kansas Highway Patrol. (AP via the Kansas Highway Patrol)
States of emergency were proclaimed by the governors of Arkansas, which is close by, and Missouri, which is nearby. Forecasters cautioned that whiteout conditions might increase the risk of becoming stranded and make driving hazardous to impossible.
Keep off the roads, please. Missouri’s transportation department said on social media site X that crews are witnessing an excessive number of vehicles leaving and falling off.
Air travel also was snarled
In the afternoon, ice caused the Kansas City International Airport to temporarily suspend flight operations. Before the runways reopened, dozens of planes, including one carrying the Kansas City Chiefs, were delayed.
In a message on X, Mayor Quinton Lucas stated that work would continue overnight to maintain the airfield clear.
Warming centers were set up in churches and libraries, and Wichita stores were crowded with people buying goods in preparation for the storm.
In the Kansas City region, a number of businesses closed, and the Independence, Missouri, suburban school district warned that it may have to postpone classes for one or more days.
Proceed to your destination and remain there. The Missouri Department of Transportation stated in a statement on X that if you had to go, think about packing a suitcase and staying put.
The agency issued a warning on Friday that the capacity to clear roads may be hampered by a lack of personnel.
Crews applied anti-icing solutions to main roads in Columbus, Ohio.
According to AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tom Kines, it will be a huge headache. In addition to the potential of snow, the storm also poses the risk of ice.
According to Kines, there may be severe power outages, especially south of the Kansas City region.
Temperatures dip, though no records break
According to experts, severe, bone-chilling cold and wind chills will begin to affect the eastern two-thirds of the country on Monday. As the polar vortex descends from the high Arctic, temperatures may be 12 to 25 degrees (7 to 14 degrees Celsius) below average.
On Saturday, the temperature in Minneapolis was about zero degrees Celsius (minus 18 degrees), while in International Falls, Minnesota, which is on the Canadian border, it dropped to 14 degrees Celsius (minus 25 degrees Celsius). In Chicago, the temperature was in the teens (minus 7 to 10 degrees Celsius).
Disruptions extend southward
In a statement on X, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin urged citizens to cast their ballots early on Saturday in anticipation of the state’s special elections on Tuesday and issued a state of emergency Friday evening in front of the storm.
Similar proclamations were made in several central Illinois cities, Kansas, Kentucky, and Maryland.
At a press conference in Louisville, Kentucky, meteorologist John Gordon declared, “This is the real deal.” Is this being exaggerated by weather people? No.
Annapolis officials requested that citizens keep their cars off of emergency snow routes. Plans to provide multiple garages for free parking on Sunday were also announced by the historic state capital next to the Chesapeake Bay.
The Annapolis area was expected to receive 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) of snow, according to the National Weather Service, with temperatures staying below freezing over the weekend.
An extreme weather notice was issued in Baltimore, directing authorities to help people in need by providing shelter. Wind chills were predicted to drop to 13 degrees Fahrenheit (-10.56 degrees Celsius) overnight Saturday and stay in the teens until Tuesday, according to city officials.
On Saturday, January 4, 2025, Lowville, New York, has more cold weather. (Cara Anna/AP Photo)AP
Before the winter weather arrived in Louisiana, teams were rushing to locate a manatee that had been spotted in Lake Pontchartrain. The manatee was initially spotted in the Mandeville region on New Year’s Eve.
Although manatees are frequently sighted in the region in the summer, sightings throughout the winter are concerning since they may start to exhibit signs of cold stress when the temperature drops below 68 degrees (20 Celsius).
According to Gabriella Harlamert, stranding and rehabilitation coordinator for Audubon Aquarium Rescue in New Orleans, “We are making every effort to obtain this animal.”
For for information on AP’s coverage of climate change, visit http://www.apnews.com/climate-and-environment.
From Annapolis, Maryland, Witte reported. Contributions came from Julie Walker in New York and Andrew DeMillo in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Weather reports
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