A severe winter storm swept across the central United States on Sunday, causing hazardous conditions, widespread disruptions, and prompting warnings from authorities. The storm, impacting states from Kansas to New Jersey, brought snow, ice, and high winds, while the South faced tornado threats and freezing temperatures. Over 60 million people remained under weather alerts as the storm tracked eastward.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued winter storm warnings for nearly a dozen states. Blizzard conditions in Kansas and Missouri caused dangerous travel, while regions farther east braced for heavy snowfall. Areas around Washington, D.C., were expected to see up to 10 inches of snow by Monday morning, complicating travel and government operations.
Severe travel disruptions were reported nationwide. FlightAware recorded nearly 2,200 flight cancellations and more than 25,000 delays. Videos showed vehicles sliding off ice-slicked highways in Kansas, where storm chaser Brian Emfinger described roads as “a skating rink.” Some areas expected over a foot of snow.
The NWS warned of up to 0.5 inches of freezing rain in parts of the Ohio Valley, with the potential for widespread power outages due to ice accumulation and tree damage. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear urged residents to stay home as freezing rain, sleet, and snow caused crashes and highway closures. Beshear emphasized the storm’s dangers, noting that power outages could coincide with plunging temperatures.
Temperatures were forecast to drop dramatically, with bitter cold reaching as far south as the Gulf Coast. Wind chills could push temperatures to dangerous lows, compounding risks for affected communities. The jet stream’s southward dive set the stage for these unusually frigid conditions, which are tens of degrees below seasonal norms.
Governors in Kentucky, Missouri, and Virginia declared states of emergency, activating resources to manage the storm’s impact. The storm also posed challenges for Monday’s joint session of Congress, set to meet in Washington, D.C., to certify the presidential election results. Despite the weather, House Speaker Mike Johnson reaffirmed plans to proceed.
The storm highlights the importance of preparation as severe weather events become increasingly disruptive across the U.S.
