A powerful winter storm sweeping across the United States has impacted millions, bringing heavy snow, ice, and freezing temperatures to much of the central region. With 63 million people under winter weather advisories, the storm has led to treacherous travel conditions, particularly in Kansas, western Nebraska, and parts of Indiana.
Major highways are blanketed with snow and ice, and authorities have issued winter storm warnings. Conditions in Kansas and Missouri are blizzard-like, with gusts reaching 45 miles per hour and snow totals up to 8 inches expected. In some areas, the snow could be the heaviest seen in over a decade, according to the National Weather Service.
Snow is quickly piling up on roads including Interstate 64 and Interstate 69, according to reports coming from Indiana, where authorities advised motorists to steer clear of roads as snowplows try to keep up with the ongoing storm. Some places may get 14 inches of snow and sleet.
The storm is so large that upstate New York received lake-effect snow that dumped up to 3 feet of snow in some areas. Louisville, Kentucky, set a new snowfall record for the date, with 7.7 inches of snow, breaking the previous record of 3 inches set in 1910. Lexington also broke its record, with 5 inches of accumulation.
As the storm advances into the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic states, it is expected to bring freezing temperatures and hazardous conditions, including the possibility of tornadoes. The Deep South, including Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, has already seen strong winds that have toppled trees and caused power outages.
A polar vortex is now blamed for the cold front stretching southward, bringing temperatures as low as Florida. Consequently, two states, Kansas and Missouri, declared states of emergency. Emergency crews are on standby as the storm continues eastward with significant snow, ice, and wind expected through Monday and Tuesday.
