A severe winter storm is sweeping through the eastern United States, impacting over 60 million people, as the National Weather Service (NWS) issues warnings for hazardous conditions. A state of emergency has been declared in Kentucky, Missouri, and Virginia as the storm brings heavy snow, ice, and gale-force winds from the central plains to the mid-Atlantic.
The storm has already caused significant disruptions, with Kansas City International Airport temporarily halting operations due to rapidly accumulating ice. Travel is expected to be hazardous, with freezing rain and sleet coating roads, trees, and power lines, leading to potential power outages for millions. The storm could bring the heaviest snowfall in a decade to areas in northeastern Kansas and north-central Missouri, with the U.S. capital, Washington, D.C., bracing for up to five inches of snow.
In addition to the immediate threat of travel disruptions, scientists point to climate change as a driving factor behind the increasing severity and frequency of such extreme weather events. As the storm pushes through, temperatures are expected to plunge, with some regions experiencing subzero temperatures, making conditions even more dangerous.
Officials are urging residents to stay indoors, prepare for power outages, and avoid unnecessary travel, especially in the Appalachian regions, which are still recovering from the damage caused by a deadly hurricane in September. The storm is set to continue its path through Monday, with additional impacts likely in the coming days.
