Key Takeaways:
– A massive winter storm will hit the central U.S., potentially affecting millions across two-thirds of the country.
– Severe travel disruptions are expected due to snowfall, ice, and freezing temperatures.
– Various airlines have waived change fees due to the prevailing weather conditions.
– Blizzard conditions, with wind gusts over 35mph and heavy snowfall, are anticipated.
– Frigid Arctic air could lead to the coldest U.S. January since 2011.
Winter Returns to Central U.S.
The winter season is staging a dramatic return in the United States. A major winter storm, brewing since Saturday, is expected to cause massive disruptions throughout the central U.S., moving east over the following days. Road conditions have sharply deteriorated due to a mix of snow, ice, and temperature drops. Bob Oravec, lead forecaster at the National Weather Service, emphasized this with two words: “Winter returned.”
Impending Major Winter Storm
The system that hit the West Coast on Friday with rain and snow in the Pacific Northwest is signaling a major winter storm. This weather event is expected to surge from the Central Plains to Mid-Atlantic areas over the weekend into early next week. As a result, commuters should brace for severe travel delays, with the storm set to impact the Mid-Atlantic by Sunday night and into Monday.
In response, airlines like American, Delta, Southwest, and United are proactively assisting travelers. They have waived change fees for passengers to rebook their flights without penalty, foreseeing flight disruptions due to weather in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Snowfall in Central Plains to Move East
By Saturday evening, communities between central Kansas and Indiana, particularly along and north of Interstate 70, will likely experience widespread heavy snowfall. Meteorologists predict snow levels in some regions may be the highest in at least a decade. The storm is then expected to surge into the Ohio Valley, causing further travel disruptions, before reaching Mid-Atlantic states by Sunday into Monday.
Blizzard Conditions Looming
Kansas and nearby portions of the Central Plains could face blizzard conditions by Sunday morning, arising from wind gusts exceeding 35mph and heavy snowfall rates. These conditions may cause whiteout scenarios, dangerously impeding visibility for drivers and potentially leaving some stranded.
Frigid Air to Blast South
Starting from Monday, dangerously cold air and bone-chilling wind chills are expected across the eastern two-thirds of the U.S. Temperatures could range from 12 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit lower than normal as the polar vortex pushes down from the high Arctic. The freezing conditions could last for a week or more, making it potentially the coldest January across the U.S. since 2011.
Shift in the Polar Vortex
Recent studies suggest a correlation between fast-warming Arctic conditions and extreme weather events in the U.S. The polar vortex, which typically stays above the North Pole, sometimes pushes down to the U.S., Europe, or Asia, creating intensely cold conditions. This pattern appears to have increased as the Arctic warms four times faster than the rest of the globe. The harsh weather patterns act as a reminder of how climate change can amplify weather extremes.
In conclusion, with the major winter storm expected to hit the central U.S. and head east, millions must prepare for the disruptions that come with heavy snowfall, icy conditions, and frigid temperatures. Travel plans could be severely affected while homes might experience power outages due to freezing rain especially in Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia. This brutal weather event is a reminder of the unpredictability of our changing climate and the importance of remaining adaptive and prepared.