A significant winter storm is set to impact tens of millions of Americans beginning Sunday, bringing the heaviest snow and coldest temperatures many regions have seen in over ten years. States like Kansas, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Virginia have already declared states of emergency as the system, driven by a polar vortex, moves east after hitting the central U.S. Southern states, including Mississippi and Florida, are also bracing for dangerously cold temperatures and hazardous conditions.
The polar vortex, a low-pressure area of cold air, can fluctuate and send frigid air southward, affecting large parts of North America. As this storm approaches, around 60 million people across 30 states are under weather alerts, with a new low-pressure system expected to bring heavy snow and potentially dangerous ice over the next few days.
Travel disruptions are becoming apparent, with over 1,200 flight delays and more than 750 cancellations reported as of Sunday morning. Major airports such as Kansas City International and St. Louis Lambert International are among the hardest hit, with many flights canceled. Kansas City International briefly closed its runway Saturday due to the storm, resulting in significant delays and cancellations, including a charter flight for the Kansas City Chiefs.
In Kansas, blizzard conditions are prompting road shutdowns, particularly on an 18-mile stretch of Interstate 70, as blizzard warnings predict up to 14 inches of snow and winds up to 40 mph. The National Weather Service forecasts historic snowfall for parts of Kansas and Missouri, estimating over 15 inches in regions that haven’t seen such accumulation in a decade.
As the storm progresses, cities such as Cincinnati, Chicago, and St. Louis have preemptively treated roads and established warming centers. A blizzard warning is in effect for over 2 million residents in Kansas and parts of Missouri, signaling potential visibility issues and high winds.
In addition to winter weather, severe weather risks are developing in the lower Mississippi Valley, where tornadoes, damaging winds, and hail could threaten around 7 million people. As snow reaches the mid-Atlantic and central Appalachians overnight into Monday, significant accumulations are expected in major cities like Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Philadelphia.
Airlines are responding to the anticipated disruptions by waiving change fees, reflecting the gravity of this weather system. Forecasters predict a drastic drop in temperatures across the eastern two-thirds of the country, with highs dropping between 10 to 25 degrees below average from Sunday through Friday, particularly severe in the northern Plains where temperatures could plunge to minus 20.
Power outages are also a concern, as over 40,000 utility customers across several Midwest and Southern states are without electricity as of Sunday morning.
While this storm brings challenges and disruptions, it also serves as a reminder of the resilience and preparedness communities can display in extreme weather events. As individuals and local governments mobilize to address these conditions, it highlights the importance of stay informed and ready for any situation that arises.