January 4th 2025.
A winter storm has descended upon the central United States, causing treacherous road conditions and bringing a mix of snow, ice, and frigid temperatures. As the storm moves eastward, the dreaded combination is expected to spread to other areas in the coming days.
According to Bob Oravec, lead forecaster at the National Weather Service in Maryland, "Winter has returned." The polar vortex, a large mass of ultra-cold air that usually stays around the North Pole, has escaped and stretched down to the U.S., Europe, and Asia. This phenomenon, known as polar vortex stretching or wandering, can be attributed to the fast-warming Arctic, as studies have shown.
The forecast for Saturday evening predicts heavy snow in the central region, particularly along and north of Interstate 70, with a high chance of at least 8 inches of accumulation. As a result, part of the interstate was shut down in central Kansas. The storm is expected to move into the Ohio Valley and cause severe travel disruptions, before reaching the Mid-Atlantic states on Sunday and Monday. Even Florida is not immune, as a hard freeze is expected in the southern state.
The National Weather Service has also warned of severe thunderstorms, including the potential for tornadoes and hail, as the storm system's cold front crosses the Lower Mississippi Valley. Already, accidents have been reported in Kansas due to freezing rain, with a fire truck and multiple vehicles overturning. Trooper Ben Gardner of the state Highway Patrol posted a video on social media showing the dangerous conditions on the roads, and urged people to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel.
The storm has also caused disruptions in air travel, with the Kansas City International Airport temporarily closing due to ice. Dozens of flights were delayed, including a charter jet carrying the Kansas City Chiefs. Mayor Quinton Lucas assured that work would continue overnight to keep the runways clear.
In anticipation of the storm, people in Wichita have been stocking up on groceries and warming centers have been opened in churches and libraries. Businesses in the Kansas City area have closed, and the school district in Independence, Missouri, has warned of possible cancellations. The Missouri Department of Transportation has urged people to avoid traveling, and warned of possible road closures due to a shortage of workers.
Columbus, Ohio, is also bracing for the storm, with crews treating major roadways with anti-icing liquids. "It will be a major headache," said Tom Kines, a senior meteorologist with AccuWeather. "The storm not only has the snow threat to it but the ice threat." Kines also warned of potential power outages, particularly in the southern part of the Kansas City area.
As the polar vortex stretches down from the high Arctic, temperatures are expected to dip significantly in the eastern two-thirds of the country. In Chicago, temperatures were in the teens, while in Minneapolis they hovered around zero. In International Falls, Minnesota, near the Canadian border, temperatures dropped to a bone-chilling 14 below.
The storm's impact is not limited to the central and eastern regions, as governors in Virginia and Maryland have declared states of emergency. In Annapolis, Maryland, residents have been asked to remove vehicles from emergency snow routes, and several garages will be open for free parking on Sunday. The National Weather Service predicts 8 to 12 inches of snow for the area, with temperatures remaining below freezing throughout the weekend. In Baltimore, an extreme weather alert has been issued, and assistance will be provided to those in need as wind chills are expected to dip to 13 degrees overnight Saturday.
Meanwhile, in Louisiana, efforts are underway to locate a manatee that was spotted in Lake Pontchartrain before the cold temperatures hit. The manatee, which is typically seen in the area during the summer, could experience cold stress symptoms as the temperature drops below 68 degrees. "We are doing everything we can to get our hands on this animal," said Gabriella Harlamert, stranding and rehab coordinator for Audubon Aquarium Rescue in New Orleans.
As the storm continues to wreak havoc and disrupt daily life, it's a reminder of the unpredictable and powerful nature of weather. Stay safe and warm, and for more news and updates on climate and environment, visit http://www.apnews.com/climate-and-environment.
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