WASHINGTON:
Blizzard and winter storm warnings were issued across the Midwest on Sunday as a powerful weather system approached the United States, bringing heavy snow and disrupting transportation, including affecting at least 46 airports from Kansas to New Jersey.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued blizzard warnings for Kansas and Missouri, while a stretch of winter storm and ice storm warnings extended to the US East Coast, creating a 2,400-kilometer-wide danger zone.
The storm, moving from west to east, was expected to bring a mix of freezing rain, sleet, and snow to Kansas by early Sunday. According to NWS forecasts, the worst conditions were anticipated to follow, with heavy snow and wind gusts over 40 mph (64 km/h) expected. The storm would cause significant visibility reductions and snow accumulation exceeding 15 inches in some areas, making travel extremely dangerous and leading to impassable roads.
From northeast Missouri through the Central Appalachians, a snowfall of 8-14 inches was predicted, with Washington expected to see up to 10 inches overnight into Monday. Hazardous travel conditions and closures were expected across the region.
Nearly 70 million people nationwide were under weather alerts, as the first major storm of 2025 already caused significant travel disruptions, including the temporary closure of Kansas City International Airport. Flights resumed after treatment of runways and taxiways, according to Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas.
The storm would bring freezing temperatures, with some areas experiencing drops to -18Β°C, compounded by strong winds. Freezing rain and sleet from Kansas to Kentucky and Virginia posed further risks, creating thick ice on roads, which could lead to fallen trees, power outages, and severe travel hazards.
The NWS warned of widespread tree damage and long-lasting power outages, particularly in areas still recovering from a deadly hurricane in September that devastated the southeast. Governors in Kentucky, Missouri, and Virginia declared states of emergency, urging residents to prepare for hazardous weather conditions. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear warned that the storm could make roads dangerous.
