Severe rain has saturated the Southern region, stretching from east Texas to southern Kentucky in the morning and later extending to the Tennessee Valley and Southeast by afternoon. Flood watches are currently in effect from east Texas to southwest Virginia. In the Shreveport area of Louisiana, two to 3 inches of rain have already fallen on Wednesday, triggering flash flood warnings. An estimated eleven million individuals from Louisiana to western Georgia are under the threat of thunderstorms that could bring winds up to 70 mph and possible tornadoes. A tornado watch has been issued for southern Louisiana and southern Mississippi until 8 p.m. CT (9 p.m. ET).
The severe weather conditions have caused disruptions in air travel, resulting in over 3,000 flight delays and more than 400 cancellations, particularly affecting the East Coast. Additionally, power outages have left over 186,000 customers without electricity in Virginia as reported by PowerOutage.Us on Wednesday.
Another storm system developed over eastern Colorado and the Plains on Wednesday morning, bringing heavy snowfall to the Midwest and Upper Midwest regions. The system has deposited snow across the central Plains to the Great Lakes on Wednesday, impacting cities like Chicago and is expected to continue towards New England, leading to icy conditions and rain. The precipitation is anticipated to cease by Thursday evening.
The rapid snowfall rate of an inch per hour or more has created perilous road conditions, significant air travel disruptions, and prompted school closures on Wednesday in major urban areas including Milwaukee, Chicago, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Detroit. Chicago is predicted to receive 4 to 7 inches of snow by Thursday night, Detroit 4 to 6 inches, and Kansas City, Missouri, 3 to 6 inches.
By Wednesday afternoon, Pella, Iowa has recorded 8 inches of snowfall, Sharon Springs, Kansas witnessed 7 inches, and Freeport, Illinois received 4.5 inches. Kansas City roads were already covered in snow overnight, leading city officials to deploy a 400-person snow team to salt the roads. Kansas City Public Schools and neighboring districts canceled classes, urging residents to stay indoors.
In Madison, Wisconsin, preparation for snow plowing was underway by Dane County Emergency Management and Highway & Transportation teams. California is also preparing for a major winter storm event, with heavy rain anticipated that could potentially lead to flooding and mudslides in areas affected by recent wildfires.
The frigid weather is expected to persist through the week and reach further into the Lower 48 states. An Arctic air surge has resulted in temperatures plummeting, with parts of North Dakota experiencing minus 55 degrees Fahrenheit temperatures when factoring in wind chill. This Arctic air mass is projected to move southward towards the Ohio Valley and central Appalachians by Friday, bringing temperatures 25 to 35 degrees below seasonal averages. Extreme cold warnings are still in effect in the northern Rockies and northern Plains.
A “damaging freezing rain and ice event”
A winter wonderland has descended upon various parts of the United States, offering a mix of delight and concern. At the Bronx Zoo, snow leopards and bears gleefully frolicked in the flurries on Tuesday. Meanwhile, students at Virginia Tech capitalized on the heavy snow by engaging in a spirited snowball fight, as the campus remained closed for the day. In Washington, D.C., a creative Georgetown Law student crafted a snowman in front of the iconic Washington Monument.
In California, a looming threat of flood watches hangs over 29 million residents in anticipation of heavy rain expected on Wednesday night, escalating potentially into Thursday. Southern California faces a moderate risk of flooding until Friday morning, with coastal areas bracing for 1 to 3 inches of rainfall and mountainous regions expecting up to 6-10 inches. Governor Gavin Newsom has initiated a statewide response plan ahead of the impending storm, aimed at safeguarding against the infiltration of burn scar debris from previous fires like the Palisades and the Eaton into nearby waterways.
The state authorities have taken proactive measures, including the installation of concrete barriers known as K-rails, deployment of 319,000 sandbags, and utilization of 5,600 so-called “super sacks” to fortify protective barriers stretching nearly 120 miles across Southern California. Moreover, 242 fire engines, 400 personnel spread across eight counties, five helicopters, and 70 soldiers have been mobilized to bolster emergency response efforts. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, in a news conference on Wednesday, hinted at imminent evacuation warnings, which could potentially escalate into evacuation orders depending on the storm’s severity.
Residents are urged to stay vigilant and prepared for possible extended absences in case of evacuation. Furthermore, the state has enlisted the expertise of 14 geologists to analyze and map out the burn scars to enhance understanding of potential debris flow risks. The Pacific Northwest is not exempt from the winter onslaught, with coastal regions anticipating rain and snow in higher elevations on Thursday, while snowfall blankets much of the Western states.
