Blizzard Strikes Midwest and Southern States
A powerful storm, drawing in extremely cold air, is expected to bring significant snowfall from the central High Plains to the southern Appalachians through the middle of the week, according to AccuWeather meteorologists. The snow will cover areas that have recently experienced severe flooding from the previous weekend’s storm.
Snow has already begun falling from western South Dakota to northern Missouri and parts of Iowa, with frigid air to the north and mild air to the south. This snowfall has impacted travel on various interstates in the central Plains states, with Omaha, Nebraska expected to receive 3-6 inches of dry, powdery snow.
The storm is anticipated to intensify, bringing a second, heavier round of snow and ice further south into the Plains and mid-Mississippi Valley from Tuesday to Wednesday. Gulf moisture will contribute to the expansion and increased intensity of the snowfall.
Significant snow accumulations of 6-12 inches are forecast for areas stretching from eastern Kansas to central and southern Missouri, northeastern Oklahoma, and northern Arkansas. The Ozark Mountains may see up to 20 inches of snow. Cities like Topeka, Wichita, St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, Tulsa, and Fort Smith are expected to face substantial travel disruptions.
The snow will spread eastward into the Ohio Valley along the I-70 corridor, with light snow and slippery conditions expected on interstates 80 and 90. Meanwhile, icy conditions are likely further south in the southern Plains and lower Mississippi Valley.
As the storm progresses eastward, heavy snow is predicted for regions previously affected by deadly flooding, including Little Rock, Nashville, Memphis, and parts of Kentucky.
The plummeting temperatures following the storm could lead to frozen pipes and water main breaks, challenging recovery efforts for those impacted by recent natural disasters. The storm is forecasted to linger until Thursday, bringing heavy snow and ice to the Carolinas, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware.
The extent of snowfall in the mid-Atlantic and southeastern New England will be determined by the storm’s track and intensity. For the latest updates and alerts, download the AccuWeather app.
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