Deep Freeze Grips U.S. as Major Winter Storm Sweeps Across Nation: 60 Million Under Weather Alerts

A large winter storm is spreading across the United States this weekend, leaving millions bracing for snow, ice, and dangerously cold temperatures.

As of Sunday morning, 60 million Americans from the Dakotas to Delaware were under winter weather alerts, with impacts expected to persist into Monday.

Lake Effect Snow Buries Upstate New York

Upstate New York is already feeling the storm’s fury, with a lake effect snow event dumping over three feet of snow near and north of Utica. Snowfall in these areas continues unabated, creating hazardous travel conditions.

The storm is following Interstate 70 through Missouri, bringing heavy snow and ice to cities like St. Louis. Roads across Nebraska and Kansas became treacherously icy on Saturday, with snow forecast to pile on through the weekend.

Travel Disruptions and Power Concerns

Kansas City faced significant disruptions as its international airport temporarily shut down its airfield due to ice buildup.

Crews worked through Saturday night to clear the ice, according to Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, who urged caution for travelers.

Governors in multiple states have declared states of emergency as the storm intensifies:

• Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin warned residents to reconsider post-holiday travel plans, urging people to leave early or delay trips.

• Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear opened warming centers and raised concerns about power outages caused by ice accumulation. “If power is lost, vulnerable Kentuckians may need access to these centers,” he stated.

• Maryland Governor Wes Moore declared a state of preparedness, advising residents to avoid travel and monitor local forecasts.

Severe Weather in the South

The southern U.S. is also on high alert, with Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas facing the threat of damaging winds, hail, and tornadoes.

Power outages are expected where snow and ice are heaviest, amplifying concerns for residents already dealing with extreme weather conditions.

Snowfall Targets Mid-Atlantic and Northeast

By Sunday night, snow is expected to reach Washington, D.C., potentially causing a chaotic Monday morning commute.

Cities like Baltimore and Philadelphia could see five inches or more of snow, heightening the risk of travel disruptions.

As the storm exits the East Coast, a polar vortex will plunge temperatures across the eastern U.S. by midweek.

Forecasts predict temperatures 10 to 25 degrees below normal, with sub-zero wind chills extending from the Midwest to the Northeast and sub-freezing temperatures reaching as far south as Florida.

Bitter Cold to Follow

The storm’s aftermath will bring frigid air and dangerous wind chills through next week.

Wind chills are expected to dip below zero across large swathes of the Midwest and Northeast, while Florida could see temperatures plunge to rare sub-freezing levels.

With hazardous conditions unfolding nationwide, officials are urging residents to stay off roads, prepare for power outages, and take precautions against the severe cold.

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