A potent winter storm, bringing heavy snow, ice, and frigid temperatures, is impacting the central United States. Forecasters predict the storm's eastward progression will bring significant travel hazards and potentially dangerous conditions in the coming days.
The storm system is causing widespread disruptions, including road closures and numerous accidents. Troopers in Kansas report multiple vehicle and tractor-trailer accidents due to hazardous road conditions. Freezing rain in Wichita contributed to further incidents, prompting authorities to urge caution and suggest staying home if possible.
This severe weather event has triggered several state of emergency declarations. Missouri declared a state of emergency, citing the potential for dangerous whiteout conditions, and Virginia followed suit, acknowledging the impact on upcoming special elections. The storm's reach extends beyond the central states, impacting areas further east, including the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic regions, with concerns about hard freezes potentially reaching as far south as Florida.
Authorities are urging caution and preparation. The Kansas Highway Patrol warned of treacherous conditions, while Missouri Department of Transportation urged residents to get where they need to go before the storm hits and to avoid traveling if possible.
The intense cold associated with the storm, while not setting new records, is nevertheless causing issues. Temperatures are hovering in the teens in Chicago and near zero in Minneapolis, with significantly colder readings recorded in International Falls, Minnesota. Concerns extend to wildlife, with rescue efforts underway in Louisiana for a manatee stranded in Lake Pontchartrain as the water temperature drops below the threshold for maintaining its body temperature.
Schools in suburban Kansas City are considering potential cancellations, and several businesses have closed, further illustrating the widespread impact of the storm. The storm is predicted to spread east in the coming days.
The National Weather Service forecasts significant snowfall between central Kansas and Indiana, with potentially 8 inches or more (20cm) in some areas.
