The Midwest is bracing for severe winter weather, as the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Blizzard Warning affecting multiple counties across Kansas and Missouri. This urgent warning will take effect at 3 a.m. Sunday, January 5, 2025, and will remain active until 3 a.m. Monday, January 6, 2025.
Forecasters predict bracing conditions along with significant snow and wind, making travel extremely hazardous. Forecasts indicate areas could receive total snow and sleet accumulations between 9 to 14 inches, with reports of ice accumulations likely resulting in similar conditions throughout the warning area. Wind gusts are anticipated to reach speeds of 35 to 40 mph, compounding the issue by creating widespread blowing snow and substantially reducing visibility to less than a quarter mile.
Counties included within the blizzard warning are Atchison, Doniphan, Leavenworth, Holt, Andrew, De Kalb, Buchanan, Clinton, Caldwell, Platte, Clay, and Ray. The NWS has cautioned residents about the potential for travel becoming impossible once heavy snow begins to fall on Sunday afternoon. Specifically, they state, "Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle. Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle," according to the NWS.
The blizzard conditions are expected to dramatically affect rush hour traffic and weekend travel plans. With temperatures plummeting, the wind chill could drive temperatures down to dangerous levels. The NWS has warned residents, "A blizzard warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring." The agency is urging everyone to limit travel and to heed all safety measures during this dangerous weather event.
Weather patterns leading up to this blizzard have already begun, with reports of light freezing rain affecting travel across parts of the region. Kansas City is expected to feel the impact of the storm, with early Saturday’s conditions leading to the Chiefs' team plane becoming stranded at Kansas City International Airport due to icy conditions on the runway, halting their departure to face their rivals, the Denver Broncos. This incident, as CBS Sports noted, emphasizes the storm's immediate effects and the severity of travel conditions.
Looking at accumulations, the snowfall forecasts have fluctuated. Current estimates suggest heavy snowfall across the region, particularly within and along the I-70 corridor. Some counties could see upwards of 16 inches of snow by the end of the storm period. For those living south of I-70, expected accumulations are slightly lower at around 5-10 inches, but icy conditions remain a significant concern.
Should the modeled conditions change, which weather experts are monitoring continuously, then areas may find their accumulation predictions adjusted higher. "Snowfall amounts have been challenging to predict accurately, but key factors on the speed of the switchover from wintry mix to snow will cause these numbers to shift," warned local meteorologists.
Travel agencies and departments across the Midwest are heeding the NWS's warnings, providing resources and information to help residents navigate the challenging conditions. A full-fledged communications plan is underway reminding people to prepare for likely power outages from ice accumulation and to check on their neighbors, particularly those who may be vulnerable.
Emergency services have indicated plans to stay on the alert during the storm. They advise citizens to stay indoors during peak blizzard conditions, particularly on Sunday night, which is expected to bring the worst of the storm. If travel is nonnegotiable, individuals are encouraged to carry winter survival kits, including provisions for extended stays and blankets, as conditions change rapidly during winter storms.
The blizzard's arrival should serve as a stark reminder of nature's unpredictability during winter, and whether it is cautioning against travel or ensuring proper preparedness, the safety of the Midwest residents remains the top priority. Officials are reinforcing the message to stay informed and act accordingly as the storm develops.
Residents of the Midwest are reminded to stay tuned for continuing updates as the storm approaches, and they should take all necessary precautions to remain safe during these severe winter weather conditions.