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Central, mid-Atlantic regions prepare for ‘significant winter weather’
AccuWeather forecasts “sufficient snow to shovel and plow” will extend from Nebraska to West Virginia.
Millions of Americans ought to ready themselves for disrupted travel and winter conditions as a major storm is predicted to deliver ice, snow, and freezing rain to many areas of the nation, forecasters indicated on Saturday.
The storm will initially affect the Central Plains later on Saturday and will move into the Ohio Valley on Sunday, arriving in the Mid-Atlantic late Sunday and into Monday.
Northeastern Kansas extending into north-central Missouri could receive over 15 inches. “For some, this might be the heaviest snowfall in over ten years,” the National Weather Service stated.
Blizzard and whiteout scenarios are anticipated in the central Plains, creating driving conditions that could be hazardous or prevent travel due to the risk of getting stuck.
At least 8 inches of snow is anticipated in Indiana and central Kansas, while perilous sleet or freezing rain is predicted from eastern Kansas to the Ozarks toward the Ohio Valley, according to meteorologists. Simultaneously, the Central Appalachians will encounter freezing rain and ice, which poses a risk of power interruptions and perilous travel.
Winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories continue from western Pennsylvania and West Virginia to far western Maryland, where snow accumulations of at least 6 inches are expected. Lake effect snow warnings are also anticipated to persist from northeast Ohio, far northwest Pennsylvania, as well as areas of western and northwest New York State. Snow totals may reach between 1 and 2 feet, as reported by the weather service.
“More than a dozen states are predicted to be affected by one or more facets of this storm,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham mentioned.
Millions of Americans under winter weather advisories
A winter storm watch is issued when conditions are favorable for a winter storm that poses risks to life or property, as per the National Weather Service. A winter weather advisory is issued when any one or more of the following is anticipated: Snow totaling 3 to 5 inches within 12 hours; sleet under half an inch; freezing rain mixed with sleet or snow; or blowing snow. A winter storm warning is declared when substantial snow of at least 6 inches in 12 hours or 8 inches in 24 hours, or sleet exceeding half an inch is anticipated.
Here’s the count of Americans under winter storm alerts Saturday afternoon:
Winter storm warning: Over 32,458,000 individuals, spanning an area from Kansas to Virginia.
Winter weather advisory: More than 14,616,000 individuals across parts of Montana, the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, and beyond.
Winter storm watch: Over 11,744,000 individuals, primarily in Mid-Atlantic states including Maryland and Delaware.
Travel may be challenging or impossible
Meteorologists advised motorists to review their weather forecasts and brace for potentially perilous or impossible travel conditions throughout the weekend.
From the Central Plains area to the Ohio Valley, significant travel delays are expected, as stated by the weather service. Blizzard conditions are anticipated in the Central Plains, with wind gusts surpassing 35 mph and heavy snow.
“Whiteout conditions will render travel extremely treacherous, resulting in impassable roads and a considerable likelihood of motorists getting stuck,” the weather service remarked.
From eastern Kansas to the Ozarks and Ohio Valley, travel will also be hazardous due to likely fallen trees and power outages, as per the weather service. More than a quarter of an inch of ice is expected to form.
After the snowfall, bitter cold follows
Lingering frigid air following this winter storm may maintain ice and snow on the ground for several days, according to AccuWeather.
Colder than normal temperatures may affect much of the country in the upcoming week, from the Rockies to the east, as reported by the weather service. Temperatures could be 10 to 20 degrees lower than the average for this time of year from the Central Plains and Mid-Mississippi and Ohio Valleys through the Appalachians next week, forecast experts indicated.
“Extremely cold temperatures will persist throughout the coming week,” the weather service in St. Louis, Missouri, stated.
Power interruptions could complicate the situation further.dangerous as it falls into single digits during the night in the area, the meteorological service there stated.
National snowfall tracker
The illustration below indicates the likelihood that a region may accumulate over 4 inches of snow. Utilize the slider at the upper left to shift by day.
Cleveland predicted snowfall
Pittsburgh projected snowfall
Indianapolis projected snowfall
St. Louis projected snowfall
National weather map
National weather radar
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