“Bracing for the Blizzard: 62 Million at Risk of Travel Disruptions This Winter”

Jan. 4 (UPI) — The National Weather Service is forecasting a significant winter storm extending 1,300 miles across the central United States that will affect approximately 62 million people from Saturday through Monday.

This weather event may lead to substantial snowfall, perilous icy conditions, rain, high winds, and intense thunderstorms along its path from east of the Rocky Mountains through the Mid-Atlantic region.

According to CNN, millions will be affected, resulting in challenging travel conditions and possible power outages. The weather warnings have been issued in 32 states, comprising advisories, watches, or alerts.

Kentucky’s Governor, Andy Beshear, along with Virginia’s Governor, Glenn Youngkin, has declared a state of emergency.

“This significant winter storm will create considerable disruptions in the Central Plains by late Saturday, moving towards the Ohio Valley on Sunday,” remarked NWS forecasters. “Serious travel delays are anticipated as the storm approaches the Mid-Atlantic late Sunday into Monday.”

The NWS forecasts moderate to heavy snow in the northern High Plains and Central Plains on Saturday, alongside up to a quarter-inch of freezing rain affecting parts of the middle Mississippi Valley and Ohio Valley on Sunday.

“Extensive heavy snowfall will accompany the storm,” NWS forecasters noted. “Significant snowfall is predicted in regions from central Kansas to Ohio… with a probability of 60% to 90% for at least 8 inches of snow on Sunday.”

The NWS indicated that some areas may experience the “heaviest snowfall in over a decade,” notably those situated north of Interstate 70 in the northern High Plains and Central Plains.

The NWS in Topeka on X.com urged individuals to “please remain indoors. Reports of icy roads and accidents throughout Kansas are rapidly increasing. Surfaces are becoming exceedingly slippery—roadways, porches, stairs, etc. Accidents could lead to requiring assistance. This is merely the ice; the snow has yet to arrive.”

Kansas City International Airport remained closed Saturday afternoon due to rapid ice build-up. Furthermore, the Kansas City Chiefs were unable to leave for Denver in preparation for their Sunday game.

Heavy snowfall is expected from the Central Plains to the Ohio Valley on Sunday, as well as intense lake-effect snow in the windward regions near Lake Ontario on Saturday.

Gusty winds up to 35 mph combined with heavy snowfall may produce blizzard conditions across the Central Plains.

“Whiteout conditions will render travel exceedingly dangerous with impassable roads, raising the risk of motorists becoming stranded,” stated NWS forecasters.

A low pressure system situated over the southern High Plains on Saturday will migrate eastward into the Ohio Valley by Monday, disrupting local travel due to winter weather from Saturday through Monday.

Certain regions of the lower Mississippi Valley may encounter severe thunderstorms on Sunday.

The northern Mid-Atlantic could also witness moderate to heavy snowfall developing overnight from Sunday into Monday.

The middle Mississippi Valley and Ohio Valley might experience freezing rain and ice as sleet and freezing rain shift from eastern Kansas and the Ozark Mountains into the Ohio Valley.

“Hazardous travel conditions are expected with potential tree damage and power outages likely in areas with over a quarter-inch of ice accumulation,” warned NWS forecasters.

Icy conditions are anticipated to move into the central Appalachian Mountains overnight on Sunday.

The storm front will advance into the lower Mississippi Valley on Sunday, increasing the likelihood of severe thunderstorms into Monday morning.

Cold air will sweep over the Great Lakes and into the Northeast, resulting in moderate to heavy lake-effect snow in the Great Lakes and along the upslope regions in the central Appalachians on Saturday and Sunday.

High temperatures will range from single digits to teens in the Plains and Midwest, with 20s to 30s expected in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, NBC News reported.

Overnight lows could plummet to as low as -20 degrees, with wind chill factors approximating -40 degrees in the northern Plains.