January 5th 2025.
A massive winter storm is on the horizon, threatening to unleash a mix of heavy snow, dangerous ice, rain, and severe thunderstorms across a 2092km stretch of the United States. This powerful weather system is expected to impact an estimated 62 million people, starting on Saturday afternoon and continuing into Monday.
While the eastern two-thirds of the country has seen limited snow and ice so far this winter, this storm is set to break that trend and bring treacherous conditions to millions from the Plains to the East Coast. Even areas that are not typically prone to winter weather may be affected.
According to NOAA's Weather Prediction Centre, this storm will batter at least a dozen states with a potent combination of snow, ice, and blizzard conditions. Strong winds gusting up to 64km/h may also create hazardous travel conditions and potential power outages across a wide region.
The severity of this storm has been emphasized by the National Weather Service, who warned that for some areas, this could be the heaviest snowfall in over a decade. In areas where it is too warm for snow and ice, there is also a risk of severe thunderstorms, posing a threat to those who are still recovering from December's deadly storms.
The impact of this storm is expected to be significant, with considerable disruptions to daily life, dangerous driving conditions, and widespread closures. The Winter Storm Severity Index predicts major effects throughout Sunday in parts of the Central US.
The storm first began on Saturday afternoon, fueled by a surge of moist air moving north from the Gulf of Mexico. From there, it will track east and spread wintry conditions into the Mississippi Valley and parts of the Midwest by Sunday morning. On Sunday, it will expand further into the Ohio Valley and Southeast, before reaching the East Coast on Sunday night and Monday.
While the areas at greatest risk are clear, it is still incredibly difficult to determine exactly who will get snow, ice, or rain, and in what quantities. Small shifts in the storm's track could drastically change the outcomes. Some areas may start with snow, but then transition to an icy mix as warmer air enters the region. Others may experience rain or an icy mix at first, before gradually changing over to snow.
This storm has the potential to bring over a foot of snow and enough ice to cause power outages, just as the coldest temperatures of the season arrive in its wake. Snowfall will be heaviest in the coldest areas, with Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia likely to see the highest totals. Warmer regions may see lower totals as sleet and ice take the place of snow.
The forecast for this storm has put several major cities on high alert for potentially historic levels of snowfall in January. St. Louis, for example, has only experienced four days with over a foot of snow in a single day, and this storm could bring another one on Sunday. Parts of Missouri may see anywhere from an inch to over a foot of snow, depending on the track of the storm. Other states in the region may also see record-breaking snowfall.
Cities such as Kansas City and Indianapolis are also bracing for significant snow accumulations. Kansas City is on track to potentially surpass its January record of 7.2 inches, set in 2011. Meanwhile, Indianapolis is also preparing for the possibility of breaking its January record of 11.4 inches, set in 2014.
The storm has already caused disruptions at Kansas City International Airport, with the airfield being closed for over two hours due to rapid ice accumulation. However, the airport has since reopened and Mayor Quinton Lucas has announced that flight operations have resumed.
As this storm continues to unfold, it is important to stay informed and take necessary precautions to ensure safety and minimize any potential disruptions. Stay tuned to weather updates and heed any warnings from local authorities. Stay safe, everyone!
A powerful winter storm is on the horizon, with the potential to unleash a mix of heavy snow, treacherous ice, rain, and severe thunderstorms across a large portion of the United States. This weather system is expected to affect approximately 62 million people, starting on Saturday afternoon and lasting until Monday. The storm is predicted to cover an impressive 2092km area, bringing hazardous conditions to states that have so far seen limited winter weather this season.
Unlike previous storms that have primarily impacted northern states, this one will break that mold and spread treacherous conditions to millions across the Plains and East Coast, including regions that are not typically prone to winter weather. As this powerful storm moves through at least a dozen states, it will bring a potent mix of snow, ice, and blizzard conditions, accompanied by fierce winds gusting up to 64km/h. These conditions will make travel difficult and could potentially cause power outages across a vast region.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Weather Prediction Centre, this storm could produce the heaviest snowfall in over a decade for some areas. In addition to snow and ice, the storm could also generate severe thunderstorms in places that are still recovering from the deadly storms that hit in December. The Winter Storm Severity Index predicts that this storm will have major effects, including disruptions to daily life, dangerous driving conditions, and widespread closures, in parts of the Central US through Sunday.
The storm began on Saturday afternoon, fueled by a surge of moist air moving north from the Gulf of Mexico. It will continue eastward, spreading a wintry mix into the Mississippi Valley and parts of the Midwest by Sunday morning. On Sunday, the storm will expand to the Ohio Valley and Southeast, and by Sunday night and Monday, it will reach the East Coast. While the regions at greatest risk are clear, it is still challenging to determine who will receive snow, ice, or mainly rain, and how much. Small shifts in the storm's track could significantly alter the outcomes.
This storm has the potential to produce more than a foot of snow and enough ice to cause power outages just as the coldest temperatures of the season are expected to arrive. Snow will blanket some areas, with several inches expected to accumulate starting late Saturday and spreading into the Ohio Valley on Sunday before reaching the mid-Atlantic on Sunday night and Monday. This could make for a hazardous Monday morning commute in cities like Washington, DC and Philadelphia.
The highest snow totals are likely to be in the coldest regions, such as parts of Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia. In areas where warmer air mixes in, sleet and ice may be produced instead of snow, resulting in lower snow totals. This storm's forecast has put several major cities on alert for potentially historic January snowfall totals. St. Louis, for example, has only seen four days with over a foot of snow in a day, a feat that could happen on Sunday. Other neighboring states may also see snowfall approaching record-breaking levels for January.
Cities like Kansas City and Indianapolis are preparing for exceptional snow accumulations, with the possibility of surpassing their January snowfall records. The Kansas City International Airport in Missouri was even forced to close its airfield for over two hours on Saturday afternoon due to rapid ice accumulation. However, by early evening, crews had successfully treated the runways and taxiways, allowing flight operations to resume. As the storm continues its path, it is important for those in its path to stay informed and prepared for potentially hazardous conditions.
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