Major winter storm sweeps central US, bringing snow, ice, and freezing temperatures

Blizzard warnings are in effect for Kansas and Missouri, with the National Weather Service urging people to avoid non-essential travel due to hazardous road conditions and low visibility.

By: Express Web Desk
January 5, 2025 08:49 PM IST

3 min read

The storm is bringing an Arctic chill, with temperatures 12 to 25 degrees below normal in many areas. (AP photo)

A powerful winter storm is battering the central United States, bringing heavy snow, ice, and dangerously cold temperatures. Blizzard warnings are in effect for Kansas and Missouri, with the National Weather Service urging people to avoid non-essential travel due to hazardous road conditions and low visibility.

Snow and ice

Kansas and northern Missouri could see up to 14 inches of snow, while freezing rain has caused numerous accidents, especially in Wichita, Kansas. Interstate 70 has been partly closed due to snow and ice, leaving drivers stranded in several areas. Authorities in Wichita and other cities are urging people to stay home unless absolutely necessary.

Road and air disruptions

Whiteout conditions and icy roads have led to accidents across the region. Missouri and Arkansas have declared states of emergency, while snow and wind have made road travel nearly impossible.

Also Read: | Snow, freezing rain forecast to hit US in biggest winter storm in over a decade

At Kansas City International Airport, flights were temporarily suspended due to icy runways, causing delays, including one affecting the Kansas City Chiefs football team.

Preparing for the storm and its impacts

In cities like Wichita, residents have stocked up on groceries, and warming centers have opened in churches and libraries to help those without heat. Officials in Missouri warn that worker shortages might delay efforts to clear roads.

Power outages are likely in areas south of Kansas City as ice and strong winds threaten power lines.

The storm is bringing an Arctic chill, with temperatures 12 to 25 degrees below normal in many areas. Chicago has seen temperatures in the teens, while Minneapolis dropped to zero. In northern Minnesota, temperatures have plunged to 14 below zero, making conditions even more dangerous.

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Also Read: | 4 killed in storm system that spawned tornadoes across southern US

The storm’s effects are being felt as far south as Louisiana, where crews are racing to rescue a manatee in Lake Pontchartrain before freezing temperatures arrive. Manatees are highly vulnerable to cold and can suffer severe stress when water temperatures drop.

“This is the real deal,” said John Gordon, a meteorologist in Louisville, Kentucky. Officials across the region continue to warn residents to avoid travel and take precautions against the extreme cold.

The storm is expected to disrupt life through Monday.

(With inputs from AP)

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