Severe winter weather has gripped vast regions of the United States, bringing heavy snowfall, dangerous ice, and plunging temperatures, disrupting daily life and prompting emergency measures.
The central U.S. felt the brunt of the winter storm over the weekend, with reports indicating the potential for the heaviest snowfall in over a decade. According to the National Weather Service, more than 63 million Americans were under some form of winter weather advisory, watch, or warning as the storm swept through the region.
Regions like Kansas, Western Nebraska, and parts of Indiana saw significant snow accumulation, with expectations of at least 8 inches of snow, and blizzard conditions impacting travel. "For locations in this region, it may be the heaviest snowfall in at least a decade," the service cautioned on Sunday.
Snow and ice caused treacherous conditions on major roadways, particularly across Kansas, where sections of Interstate 70 were closed. Indiana State Police reported multiple spinouts and accidents, urging motorists to stay off the roads as snow accumulation rapidly covered them again after plows passed. "It's snowing so hard; the snow plows go through and then within half an hour the roadways are completely covered again," said Sgt. Todd Ringle.
Governors from states including Missouri and Arkansas have declared states of emergency as the storm moved eastward, bringing hazardous travel conditions along with it. The National Weather Service had also warned travel situations could be "very difficult to impossible." This rush of winter didn’t stop at roads; railways were also affected by the storms, with numerous train cancellations reported across the Midwest.
Air travel faced disruptions as well, with nearly 200 flights canceled at St. Louis Lambert International Airport alone, and more issues anticipated as the storm continued its path across the country. Amtrak officials acknowledged the complexity of running services during such severe weather, stating, "If local authorities are telling people not to travel, it's counterintuitive to try to run... services."
Further complicate matters, the eastern two-thirds of the country braced for extreme cold and wind chills following the snow storm. Meteorologists noted temperatures plunging 12 to 25 degrees below normal. Chicago recorded temperatures hovering around the teens, and International Falls, Minnesota, faced lows of 11 below zero. Jon Palmer, meteorologist with the National Weather Service, warned of icy conditions gripping the eastern half of the country, making it feel much colder than it actually was.
States such as Maryland were predicted to receive 8 to 12 inches of additional snow with temperatures remaining below freezing throughout the storm's duration. Residents there were advised to prepare for challenging weather conditions as officials set up state of emergency declarations and initiated proactive measures to keep communities safe.
School districts across several states have forced widespread closures as officials respond to the severe weather. Jefferson County Public Schools in Kentucky canceled classes and activities for approximately 100,000 students, declaring it "a traditional snow day with no online learning," which brought frustration as the day would have marked students' first day back after winter break.
Meanwhile, community organizations have stepped up efforts to provide aid amid the frigid conditions. Star of Hope, which has been supporting Houston's homeless population since 1907, has mobilized to distribute coats, hats, and blankets to those without permanent shelter as the city prepares for dangerously low temperatures. Their initiative aims to cater to the estimated 3,200 unhoused individuals and is encouraging community donations of warm clothing.
ERCOT, Texas's power grid operator, is on alert due to the heavy demand on the grid from increased heating needs caused by the cold snap. They issued a Weather Watch to signal their awareness of potential challenges but reassured the public of current normal grid conditions following pre-winter preparations. The organization confirmed their utility service and demands were largely stable heading through the freezing temperatures.
Overall, the winter storm and subsequent cold weather have caused considerable disruption across the U.S. Critics have cited these recurring severe weather events could result from climate changes, compelling state and local governments to be more prepared for frequent challenges.
The severe conditions will linger as the icy grip of winter tightens its hold over many regions, making for dangerous travel and potential hardships for those most vulnerable to the cold.