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The National Weather Service (NWS) has updated its forecast for a winter storm that is set to hit several states, while meteorologists are warning of the “brutal mess” it could cause for affected cities.
Why It Matters
Challenging driving conditions may affect travel as many Americans make journeys across the country following the holiday season.
Certain vulnerable populations, such as young infants and senior citizens, face increased health risks from the dangers associated with freezing temperatures.
What To Know
A post from the NWS Weather Prediction Center on January 2 forecast a winter storm that would bring heavy snow and hazardous ice from the Central Plains to the mid-Atlantic later this week.
In an updated forecast, the NWS now describes the upcoming storm as a major winter storm. The service added that severe travel disruptions are expected.
Here are the latest Key Messages for the winter storm set to produce significant snow & ice accumulations from the Central Plains to the Mid-Atlantic this weekend & into early next week. Expect potentially dangerous travel conditions in some locations. pic.twitter.com/cRieD6hKpF
— NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) January 2, 2025
The chance for at least 6 inches of snow had risen from 60 to 80 percent as of earlier on January 2, to 60 to 90 percent for areas in the Central Plains and Mississippi Valley. States particularly at risk included Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, and Delaware.
A substantial amount of sleet and freezing rain is anticipated this weekend, the NWS said, stretching from eastern Kansas and the Ozarks eastward to the Tennessee and lower Ohio Valleys.
The service added that parts of the southern Appalachians are likely to experience icing on Sunday and into Sunday night.
“Treacherous travel conditions are expected with power outages likely in areas that receive over a quarter-inch of ice accumulation,” the updated forecast read.
What People Are Saying
Meteorologist Ryan Maue wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “Sunday and Monday will be a brutal mess for huge population in bunch of big cities.
“Heavy snow, sleet, freezing rain may surprise folks in how fast it’s falling and accumulating with cold temps in the 20s.
“Try to travel Fri/Sat, or wait until Tues.”
Online weather analyst Ryan Hall wrote on X: “The red areas here [referencing a similar map to the NWS’] are pretty much guaranteed to experience a significant winter storm Sunday / Monday.
“Some places could receive over 10″ of snow. Some places will get lots of sleet / ice. The time to prepare is now.”
Meteorologist Ben Noll wrote on X: “Significant snowfall will impact more than a dozen states from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic over the weekend through Monday.
“Heavy icing & power outages are also possible in Nebraska, Missouri, southern Illinois, southern Indiana, Kentucky, southern Ohio & West Virginia.”
What Happens Next
The NWS winter storm forecast was for Saturday, January 4 to Monday, January 6.
NWS forecasts are updated regularly.
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