A disruptive winter storm threatened to bring the most precipitation in a decade to certain regions of the central U.S. on Sunday, a flurry of snow, ice, wind, and freezing temperatures created hazardous travel conditions
While even normally balmy Florida prepares for uncommon freezing temperatures, states of emergency have been issued in Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Kansas, Arkansas, and Missouri.
Major roads throughout almost all of Kansas, western Nebraska, and portions of Indiana were covered in snow and ice, prompting the state’s National Guard to be called in to assist any stranded drivers.
The National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings for Kansas and Missouri, where blizzard conditions brought wind gusts of up to 45 mph (72 kph), and predicted at least 8 inches (20 centimeters) of snow, especially north of Interstate 70. New Jersey was also under the warning for Monday and the first part of Tuesday.
“For locations in this region that receive the highest snow totals, it may be the heaviest snowfall in at least a decade,” the weather service said.
Approximately 63 million Americans were affected and received different winter weather advisories or warnings issued by the National Weather Service.
When the polar vortex swings southward, it brings extreme cold to the US, Europe, and Asia. Normally, it circles the North Pole. Research suggests that the polar vortex extending southerly extension is a result of the Arctic’s rapid warming.
The Midwest was severely impacted by the extreme weather. On Sunday, train service between Chicago and New York and St. Louis was canceled.
There was significant disruption at St. Louis Lambert International Airport, with FlightAware reporting almost 200 inbound and outgoing flight cancellations.
