Severe Winter Weather Alerts Expanded Across 50 Million American Residencies - List of Affected States Unveiled
Heads Up! Winter Weather Warning Ablaze Across U.S. Heartland
Are you ready for winter's first punch? A jaw-dropping storm is brewing and it's due to hit the U.S. heartland starting this weekend. That's right! The National Weather Service (NWS) has sounded the alarm, predicting a dangerous mix of snow, ice, and crazy-low temperatures that could shatter records.
This arctic toggler will first league with the Central Plains on Saturday night, then barrelling through the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys on Sunday, eventually reaching the Mid-Atlantic states by Sunday eve. Bet your boots that this storm is one potentially historic event!
It looks like places nestled between central Kansas and Indiana have a whopping 60% to 90% chance of receiving a jaw-dropping 8 inches of snow—with the heaviest snowfall in a decade for some locales! Aw heck, the NWS also cautions that Sunday morning could paint a chilling picture with whiteout conditions in the Central Plains, not to mention howling winds of up to 35 mph and a mountain of snow, possibly resulting in blizzards. Yikes!
The storm will bring a frigid scourge of ice and menacing freezing rain to the Mid-South, including hurting zones like eastern Kansas, the Ozarks, and the Ohio valley. This could incite chaos in spots like the Ozarks, Tennessee and lower Ohio valleys, and even the southern Appalachians.
So, Which States Are Taking the Brunt of This Blizzard?
Brace yourself, 'cause snowy skies are in the forecast for states such as southern Nebraska, most of Kansas, southern Iowa, central and northern Missouri, central Illinois, southern Indiana, southern Ohio, northern West Virginia, northern Virginia, almost all of Maryland, Washington, D.C., far southern Pennsylvania, and most of Delaware. And don't forget about the potential for icy clingers in areas like southeast Kansas, southern Missouri, far southern Illinois, much of Kentucky, northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and southern West Virginia, as per the NWS.
How Will This Storm Affect Travel?
The NWS issued a stark warning on Friday that travelling in blizzard-prone and freezing rain regions will be as difficult as pulling teeth and as dangerous as playing Russian roulette! However, the jury's still out on how exactly the storm will interfere with flights. Score the latest updates on flight status from the Federal Aviation Administration on their social media page.
Surprising Stat
Here's an intriguing tidbit: if those nipping cold temperatures take hold as expected, January 2025 might well mark the U.S.'s chilliest month since 2011! According to AccuWeather expert Paul Pastelok, the chill won't be a flash in the pan—the cold will linger for days on end.
A quick look back
In October, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted a mild winter for the southwestern, southern, and eastern U.S., making December 2024 the warmest fall on record, with temperatures clocking in at a balmy 4.1 degrees above the norm.
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Additional Insights:- According to the National Weather Service, the first winter storm of 2025 primarily affected the High Plains, the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys, and the Mid-Atlantic regions.- States such as Kansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Virginia experienced blizzard conditions and heavy snowfall.- The Lower Mississippi Valley faced severe thunderstorm conditions, including potential tornadoes and damaging winds.
Sports enthusiasts may find it challenging to enjoy outdoor activities this weekend, as the approaching winter storm is expected to disrupt travel across various parts of the United States. The National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts blizzard-prone conditions in several states, such as southern Nebraska, most of Kansas, and central Illinois, which could potentially lead to cancellations or delays in sports events.
Furthermore, weather-forecasting data suggests that the storm could lead to dangerous and unfavorable weather conditions for travel and sports, making it essential for enthusiasts to keep a close eye on weather updates and adjust their travel and activity plans accordingly. You can stay updated on the latest weather forecasts by following the NWS on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
