A major winter storm is predicted to bring heavy snow, significant ice, and freezing temperatures, starting in the central U.S. on Saturday and progressing eastward over the following days, as per the National Weather Service.
Here’s what you need to know about the storm, which is expected to impact millions across the eastern two-thirds of the nation:
Major Winter Storm Developing
A large weather system reached the West Coast on Friday afternoon, bringing rain to the Pacific Northwest and snowfall in the Cascade Mountains, according to meteorologists.
This system is set to develop into a significant winter storm, impacting areas from the Central Plains to the Mid-Atlantic over the weekend and into early next week.
Snow to Blanket Central Plains and Move East
By Saturday evening, widespread heavy snow is expected in areas from central Kansas to Indiana, particularly along and north of Interstate 70, where there is a strong likelihood of receiving at least 8 inches (20.3 centimeters) of snow.
Meteorologists note that for regions accustomed to the heaviest snowfalls, this could be the most significant snowfall in at least ten years.
Blizzard Conditions Possible
Wind gusts exceeding 35 mph (56 kph) combined with heavy snowfall could create blizzard conditions, especially in Kansas and surrounding areas of the Central Plains by Sunday morning.
Whiteout conditions may make driving hazardous to impossible, increasing the risk of motorists becoming stranded.
Freezing Rain Expected from Eastern Kansas to the Ozarks
Hazardous sleet and freezing rain are forecast to begin Saturday, affecting areas from eastern Kansas to Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and much of Kentucky and West Virginia.
Travel conditions are expected to be treacherous, with power outages likely in regions where ice accumulations exceed a quarter-inch (half a centimeter).
“It’s going to be a mess, a potential disaster,” warned private meteorologist Ryan Maue.
Frigid Arctic Air to Sweep South as Far as Florida
Starting Monday, forecasters predict that hundreds of millions of people across the eastern two-thirds of the country will face dangerously cold temperatures and severe wind chills.
Temperatures are expected to be 12 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit (7 to 14 degrees Celsius) below normal as the polar vortex moves down from the high Arctic.
“This could result in the coldest January for the U.S. since 2011,” said Dan DePodwin, Director of Forecast Operations at AccuWeather, on Friday. He added that there could be a stretch of up to a week or more with temperatures well below historical averages.
The most significant drop in temperatures is expected over the Ohio Valley, but unusually cold conditions will extend as far south as the Gulf Coast, according to Danny Barandiaran, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center.
A hard freeze is also expected in Florida, added meteorologists.
“The wind chills are going to be brutal,” said Jennifer Francis, a climate scientist at the Woodwell Climate Research Institute. “Just because the globe is warming doesn’t mean these cold snaps are going away.”
Weather May Be Linked to Fast-Warming Arctic
The severe weather may be partly driven by a rapidly warming Arctic, highlighting the impact of climate change on weather extremes, explained Judah Cohen, seasonal forecast director at Atmospheric and Environmental Research.
Typically, the polar vortex, which consists of ultra-cold air spinning above the North Pole, stays in that region. However, it occasionally extends to the U.S., Europe, or Asia, bringing intense cold.
Cohen and his team have conducted studies showing an increase in the stretching or wandering of the polar vortex. Last month, they published research linking cold outbreaks to changes in the Arctic, which is warming four times faster than the rest of the planet.
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