Road conditions worsened across the central United States on Saturday as a winter storm brought a combination of snow, ice, and dropping temperatures. Weather forecasts indicate that this harsh winter weather will move eastward in the coming days.
“Winter has returned,” said Bob Oravec, a lead forecaster at the National Weather Service.
The polar vortex, a mass of very cold air that usually stays near the North Pole, occasionally stretches down into the U.S., bringing severe cold with it. Recent studies suggest that the warming Arctic may be contributing to these polar shifts.
As of Saturday evening, central Kansas to Indiana was expected to experience heavy snowfall, especially along and north of Interstate 70. Reports indicated that some areas could see up to 8 inches of snow. Due to the worsening conditions, part of Interstate 70 in Kansas had to be closed.
The storm is forecasted to continue into the Ohio Valley, with significant travel disruptions anticipated. It will then move into the Mid-Atlantic states by Sunday or Monday. Even Florida could see a hard freeze as a result of the storm.
As the storm began to hit, numerous accidents were reported in Kansas. A fire truck, several tractor-trailers, and passenger cars overturned near Salina due to the icy conditions. Trooper Ben Gardner from the Kansas Highway Patrol shared a video showing how slick the roads had become.
“ We’re experiencing the impact now,” Gardner remarked while heading to the crash site. Authorities in Wichita also faced multiple incidents as freezing rain made driving hazardous. Police urged residents to stay home if they could and to be cautious around emergency vehicles.
In Missouri, Governor Mike Parson declared a state of emergency as forecasters predicted dangerous whiteout conditions that could lead to people becoming stranded.
Residents in cities like Wichita prepared for the storm by stocking up on groceries, while warming centers opened in local churches and libraries. The Missouri Department of Transportation advised travelers to reach their destinations quickly and to remain there until conditions improve.
Cold temperatures continued to affect the region, with Chicago experiencing teens and Minneapolis seeing temperatures around zero. International Falls, Minnesota, even dropped to a chilling 14 degrees below.
The storm’s impact was felt as far south as Virginia, where Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency, warning that poor weather could hinder citizens’ ability to vote in upcoming special elections.
In Louisiana, wildlife officials were rushing to locate a manatee spotted in Lake Pontchartrain before the cold spell could affect it. Typically, manatees do not fare well in temperatures below 68 degrees, creating concern for its safety.
Overall, the winter storm is a reminder of the challenges our nation faces during extreme weather events and the importance of being prepared.
