The winter storm, which swept across the central U.S. on Sunday, brought severe weather conditions including heavy snowfall, ice, freezing temperatures, and intense winds. It disrupted travel in multiple states, with snow and ice blanketing major highways, making travel treacherous and unsafe. Kansas, western Nebraska, and parts of Indiana were hit hardest, with snow accumulating quickly and state officials warning residents of hazardous road conditions. The storm was expected to bring some of the heaviest snowfall the region has seen in years, with up to 14 inches (36 cm) predicted in Kansas and Missouri. As the storm intensified, conditions deteriorated further, particularly north of Interstate 70, where significant snow accumulation and blizzard conditions were anticipated.
In Missouri, residents like Gary Wright were working to clear thick layers of ice off their vehicles, making preparations for the upcoming storm. Wright, who works remotely for the University of Missouri-Columbia, noted that he was taking the opportunity to spend a bit of time in the snow. He also mentioned his difficulty in getting his older dogs to walk on the cold, icy ground, leading him to search for boots to protect their paws. Meanwhile, the storm’s effects were not only felt in Missouri but were also widespread, as a large portion of the country grappled with the polar vortex’s icy grasp.
The polar vortex typically remains concentrated around the North Pole, but when it shifts south, it can bring Arctic-like temperatures to regions far away. Experts have linked the increasing frequency of these extreme cold events to a rapidly warming Arctic, which disrupts the usual flow of cold air. The weather system caused a deep plunge in temperatures, with some areas experiencing a significant drop in temperatures of up to 25 degrees Fahrenheit (14°C) below normal.
In Indiana, snow and sleet began to cover the roadways, making driving difficult, and authorities urged residents to stay off the roads. The snow, which had fallen thick and fast, completely blanketed major highways like Interstate 64, Interstate 69, and U.S. Route 41, making them impassable. Despite efforts to plow the roads, snowplows found it impossible to keep up with the heavy snowfall, and traffic snarled in multiple areas as road conditions rapidly worsened.
In Kentucky, Louisville set a new snowfall record with 7.7 inches (19.5 cm) recorded on Sunday, surpassing the previous mark of 3 inches (7.6 cm) set in 1910. Lexington also experienced a record-breaking snowfall of 5 inches (12.7 cm). These numbers marked a significant weather event for the region, as it was one of the largest snowfalls for these cities in years. The snow continued to fall heavily across upstate New York, where some areas saw up to 3 feet (0.9 meters) of snow from lake-effect snow bands.
As the storm system moved eastward, it brought a hard freeze to states like Florida, which is relatively rare during winter storms. Areas across the Mid-Atlantic and Ohio Valley saw a sharp drop in temperatures, with regions along the East Coast expected to experience single-digit lows in some places. Meteorologists warned of bone-chilling wind chills that would make the cold feel even more unbearable.
The storm’s widespread impact also included strong winds, which knocked down trees and power lines, causing significant disruptions in the Deep South. Tornado warnings were issued for parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, further exacerbating the storm’s potential dangers. The tornado warnings added to the complexity of the storm, as officials were concerned about the mix of snow, ice, and high winds creating hazardous conditions in areas that are not typically accustomed to extreme winter weather.
Meanwhile, traffic incidents continued to rise, with hundreds of car crashes reported across multiple states, including Virginia, Indiana, Kansas, and Kentucky. The hazardous driving conditions contributed to widespread traffic disruptions, as vehicles struggled to navigate icy roads. In Missouri, the highway patrol reported that at least 600 motorists had been stranded, requiring emergency assistance. Several highways, including parts of Interstate 70 in Kansas, were closed due to the impassable conditions, and state authorities worked tirelessly to clear the roads and assist stranded motorists.
The storm caused major disruptions to air travel as well. Hundreds of flights were canceled at major airports, including St. Louis Lambert International Airport, as the weather caused chaos for the country’s aviation system. Nearly 200 flights in and out of St. Louis were canceled, and the Amtrak train service also faced disruptions. Multiple train cancellations occurred, particularly along the Chicago-to-New York route, as well as several regional routes between Chicago and St. Louis. Amtrak officials emphasized that running a full slate of services when local authorities were advising people to stay home was counterproductive, leading to significant service delays and cancellations.
On Sunday night and into Monday, the storm’s effects reached further into the Northeast, where it continued to create dangerous conditions. The National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings, advising that the snow would continue through Monday morning, particularly affecting areas like Pennsylvania and New Jersey. In these areas, forecasters warned that people should expect significant delays for both travel and daily activities.
States like Virginia, Indiana, and Kentucky saw large numbers of school closures and delays, as snow and icy conditions made it unsafe for students and teachers to travel. Kentucky's Jefferson County Public Schools, which serves a large student population, canceled classes for the day. This was especially disruptive for students who had just returned from winter break, but the district made the decision to prioritize safety, offering students a traditional snow day with no online learning.
Amidst all of the snow and ice, residents in some areas braced for the possibility of even more challenging weather conditions in the coming days. The storm's lingering effects were expected to stretch through much of the eastern U.S., with additional snow, ice, and cold temperatures continuing into Monday and beyond. Meteorologists noted that while this winter storm has been unusually severe, the cold and snowy conditions it left in its wake would not be short-lived.
