Winter weather impacted various parts of the central US over the weekend, leading to dangerous road conditions and airport closures. The storm was a mix of snow, ice, and plunging temperatures, with forecasts indicating that the conditions would spread eastward in the coming days. Extreme cold air from the polar vortex, usually confined to the North Pole, was making its way southward, causing intense cold temperatures.
Heavy snowfall and icy conditions affected states such as Kansas and Missouri, with some areas expecting up to 14 inches of accumulation. The storm was set to move into the Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic states, and even as far south as Florida, causing travel disruptions and a hard freeze in many regions. Severe thunderstorms, potentially leading to tornadoes and hail, were also anticipated, with parts of New York experiencing significant snowfall from a separate weather event.
The storm led to numerous car wrecks and accidents, with overturned vehicles and jackknifed trucks reported in Kansas. Freezing rain in Wichita prompted multiple crashes, urging authorities to advise drivers to stay off the roads. Governors in Missouri and Arkansas declared states of emergency due to whiteout conditions that made driving treacherous. Air travel was also affected, with the Kansas City International Airport halting operations due to icy runways.
Many communities in the affected states prepared for the storm by stocking up on supplies and opening warming centers. Businesses and schools closed as a precaution, and residents were advised to stay indoors and off the roads to avoid potentially dangerous conditions. Crews treated major roadways with anti-icing materials to help prevent accidents and traffic delays caused by snow and ice. Power outages were expected to be significant in several areas.
As the storm continued to move eastward, temperatures in many regions were expected to plummet, with wind chills as much as 25 degrees below normal. Dangerous cold conditions were predicted for the eastern two-thirds of the country as the polar vortex stretched down from the Arctic. Disruptions extended into the South, prompting state of emergency declarations in Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky, Kansas, and several cities in Illinois. Authorities in various cities announced plans to open shelters and provide assistance for residents in need due to the extreme weather.
The storm brought significant snow accumulations to areas along the East Coast, with Maryland, Kentucky, and Virginia expecting up to 12 inches of snow. Emergency snow routes were established in cities like Annapolis, urging residents to prepare for freezing temperatures throughout the weekend. In Louisiana, efforts were underway to locate a manatee spotted in Lake Pontchartrain before temperatures dropped too low. Winter weather alerts were issued in Baltimore, directing agencies to provide shelter for residents as wind chills were forecasted to remain below freezing for several days.
