Winter Storm Brings Cold Temperatures, Snow, and Wind Across the Country
Severe Weather Alerts: Looming Blizzard Brings Snow and Ice from Midwest to Atlantic Region
A winter storm is sweeping across the country, bringing cold temperatures, snow, ice, and wind to much of the nation. The National Weather Service has predicted significant snowfall for the South and the Mid-Atlantic region, with parts of the South potentially seeing up to six inches of snow and the Mid-Atlantic area getting around eight inches.
Key Details
The winter storm made its way through the central Plains and the Mid-Mississippi Valley on Tuesday, dropping snow in the Dakotas and Montana. By Wednesday, the storm had moved to the southern Mid-Atlantic area, where snow will accumulate, and some areas will see sleet and freezing rain.
The cold temperatures and dangerously cold wind chills that have affected the Plains will begin to moderate in the coming days, according to the NWS. However, the East will continue to experience below-average temperatures.
Temperatures in Montana, the Dakotas, and the upper Midwest are expected to drop "well below zero," with morning temperatures forecast in the -30s near the Canadian border through Wednesday and wind chills reaching between -30 and -60 degrees.
Beginning Wednesday afternoon into Thursday, the southern Mid-Atlantic region is expected to see snowfall. Areas across southeastern Virginia into northeastern North Carolina could receive "a few to locally 8+ inches of new snow."
AccuWeather has also reported similar levels of snow, predicting that the cross-country snowstorm will "unload a heavy accumulation on portions of Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, and Delaware" on Wednesday into Thursday.
Impact on Travel and Emergencies
The winter storm has caused significant travel disruptions, with over 2,900 delays and over 630 cancellations of flights in or out of the U.S. as of 12:50 p.m. EST Wednesday. Airlines have been allowing passengers to rebook their flights without incurring a change fee due to the storm.
North Carolina and Arkansas have both declared states of emergency in preparation for the storm, and Virginia has continued its state of emergency declared on February 10 due to winter weather and flooding.
Tangent
The winter storm is affecting areas that have already been hit hard by deadly flash flooding over the weekend. Parts of Arkansas, along with Memphis and Nashville, can expect between 1 and 3 inches of snow, while parts of western Kentucky received 8 inches of snow and eastern Kentucky received between 2 and 4 inches as of 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
President Donald Trump issued an emergency declaration for Kentucky after tens of thousands were left without power and more than 14 people died as a result of the flooding.
Key Insights
The winter storm is impacting various regions of the United States, from the Southwest and Plains to the Mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes. Southern states, including Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida, have already experienced significant snowfall, with some areas setting record-breaking snow records.
The Mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes regions are expected to see heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain, with snow totals reaching 6-8 inches in certain areas. There is also a risk of severe weather, including damaging wind gusts and isolated tornadoes, particularly in the Central Plains and Midwest.
Air travel has been significantly impacted by the storm, with over 500 flight cancellations and delays at major airports in Charlotte, Nashville, and Dallas. Airlines like American, Southwest, Delta, and Air Canada have been affected, with passengers advised to check flight statuses and prepare for extended wait times.
[Sources]:1. National Weather Service2. New York Times3. USA Today4. AccuWeather
The business of travel has been disrupted due to the snowstorm, leading to over 630 cancellations of flights. The Southeastern states, including parts of Virginia and North Carolina, are dependent on average snowfall estimates of a few to 8+ inches for the pending storm. The average temperatures in the affected areas are predicted to remain below average due to the storm's influence.
