Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs Meteorologists with the National Weather Service (NWS) have issued a slew of winter weather warnings from east Kentucky through southern New Jersey as a winter storm threatens heavy snow and hazardous travel.Why It MattersMeteorologists warned of two winter storms bringing snow and a wintry mix to the U.S. on Monday night. One storm is situated over the Central Plains and another is bringing poor weather to parts of the South and Mid-Atlantic.Numerous weather alerts warned people of dangerous travel conditions as well as the chance for heavy snow.What to KnowIn the Mid-Atlantic, a winter storm warning is in place for Kentucky, southern Indiana, southern Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, northwest North Carolina, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey. For the storm in the Central Plains, there’s a winter storm warning in place for Kansas and Missouri.Winter storm watches and winter weather advisories, as well as flood watches, impact even more states.Many of the winter storm warnings warned of widespread snowfall amounts of up to 8 inches.In some places, including in Washington, D.C., central and southern Maryland and central and northern Virginia, snowfall rates could reach 2 inches per hour by late Tuesday afternoon and evening. It’s difficult for snowplows to keep streets clear when snowfall rates are 2 inches per hour or more.For the storm in the Mid-Atlantic, winter storm warnings will begin to go into effect Monday evening. The warnings will go into effect in the early morning hours on Tuesday for locations further east.In a recent post on X, formerly Twitter, the NWS office in Louisville said snow was expected to begin overnight and that “significant” amounts were possible.
Plow trucks clear streets as high winds and snow hit Des Moines, Iowa, on January 12, 2024.
Plow trucks clear streets as high winds and snow hit Des Moines, Iowa, on January 12, 2024.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty
What People Are SayingNational Weather Service meteorologist Ryan Sharp, who works at the Louisville office, told Newsweek: “The biggest concern is snow. There might be a really brief window of ice, but the biggest concern here is for the amount of snow falling. It’ll be a wet snow, so it’s usually a bit heavier.”He added: “We are going to warm up, so this should melt over the next couple days.”NWS Baltimore in a winter storm warning: “Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning commutes, … with the steadiest snow expected late Tuesday afternoon and evening. A light wintry mix may continue into Wednesday, but little to no additional accumulation is expected.”NWS in a forecast on Monday: “Two winter storms will begin to bring snow and a wintry mix to the Central Plains and the Mid-Atlantic by mid-day Tuesday. Heavy rain will create mainly localized areas of flash flooding in the Mid-South on Tuesday.”What Happens NextFor the Mid-Atlantic storm, the winter storm warnings will begin expiring by Wednesday morning. For the storm over the Central Plains, the warnings will be in effect from midnight Tuesday night until Wednesday night.
