Winter weather alerts have been issued for around 100 million individuals in 22 states stretching from Nebraska to Massachusetts as winter storms move through the North and East, bringing snow, sleet, and freezing rain. Forecasters caution that the cold snap could lead to power outages and hazardous travel conditions during Thursday’s commute and beyond. A significant storm currently impacting the Great Lakes, upper Ohio Valley, and mid-Atlantic regions is expected to advance further into the Northeast, resulting in icy conditions for many areas on Thursday morning. Major cities such as Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York, and Boston are anticipated to be affected, leading to school closures in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts as a precaution. The mixture of freezing rain is predicted to cease in Washington D.C. by 10 a.m. ET, in New York by noon, and in Boston by 4 p.m. Up to half an inch of ice accumulation is expected in eastern West Virginia, northern Virginia, and parts of south-central Pennsylvania, potentially causing power outages and tree damage. Across the northwest of the Interstate 95 corridor, from Washington to Philadelphia, up to a quarter inch of ice is forecasted, raising concerns about treacherous road conditions. The National Weather Service has highlighted the significant impact of even a small amount of freezing rain, emphasizing its ability to create slippery surfaces that pose risks on roads. Officials have cautioned against driving on icy roads, noting the dangerous conditions that can result. The challenging weather conditions have also impacted air travel, with numerous cancellations and delays reported. The severe weather is projected to subside by Thursday evening, making way for high winds as a new low-pressure system moves in from southeast Canada. Moreover, a blizzard warning has been issued for Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula. Looking ahead, another weather system is expected to bring snowfall to the Great Lakes and freezing conditions in the Ohio River Valley, potentially affecting travel along the I-95 corridor on Super Bowl Sunday. The West Coast is also bracing for intense winter weather, with heavy rain anticipated in California and substantial snowfall in regions like the Sierra Nevada and northern California. As the storm progresses, it will move towards the Great Basin and northern Rockies, with significant snowfall predicted in the northern Plains.
While the North and East are freezing, states in the South are currently observing record high temperatures for this time of year. Some regions from the Southwest to the southern Plains are seeing temperatures in the 70s and even the 80s.
