US: Adverse winter weather forecast across central and eastern regions through at least early Jan. 7 /update 2

Adverse winter weather is forecast over central and eastern US through at least early Jan. 7. A major winter storm will track eastward from the Central Plains into the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic region late Jan. 5, bringing areas of snow, sleet, freezing rain, and gusty winds along its path. Gusty winds will create blizzard conditions from Kansas into northwestern Missouri through the evening of Jan. 5, with conditions improving from west to east late Jan. 5. Areas of heavy snow will spread eastward through the Ohio Valley and central Appalachians late Jan. 5, reaching the northern Mid-Atlantic by early Jan. 6. While winds will be weaker across the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic region, occasional gusts will still be possible, resulting in reduced visibilities from snowfall or snow on the ground. Total snowfall accumulations of 15-30 cm (6-12 inches) are expected from southern Ohio to the D.C. metropolitan area. South of the snow will be a mixture of sleet and freezing rain with damaging ice accumulations of more than 0.6 cm (0.25 inches) for northern Kentucky and portions of southern West Virginia. Lighter but still hazardous ice accumulations of 0.25-0.6 cm (0.10-0.25 inches) are expected along and east of the Blue Ridge Mountains into western North Carolina and central to southern Virginia.

As of early Jan. 5, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued winter storm warnings from far southeastern Kansas and Missouri eastwards into Delaware, Maryland, central New Jersey, and Virginia. Ice storm warnings are in effect for western Kentucky, southern Illinois, southern Indiana, and southeastern Missouri. Winter weather advisories are in place across the rest of the affected area. Officials could update and extend the coverage of the weather alerts over the coming days.

Authorities in Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, New Jersey, Virginia, and West Virginia declared states of emergency, while Maryland declared a state of preparedness and Kansas declared a state of disaster. More than 1,700 flights around the US were canceled and more than 8,200 flights were delayed Jan. 5. Kansas City International Airport (MCI) was the worst affected, with almost all flights canceled. Level 3 snow emergencies are in place across Adams County in Ohio and Bracken, Gallatin, Mason, and Robertson counties in Kentucky, while red travel advisories are in effect for Franklin, Ripley, and Switzerland counties in Indiana; all roadways are restricted to emergency personnel, and only essential travel is permitted. Only necessary travel is permitted across other parts of Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. Much of Interstate 70 in Kansas and parts of Interstate 29 in Missouri are closed. Amtrak canceled more than 20 trains across the Midwest and Northeast Jan. 5 and more than 50 trains Jan. 6. Two trains in the Northeast remained canceled Jan. 6.

All state office buildings in Kentucky and US federal government offices in Washington, D.C. are closed Jan. 6. Some schools across the affected area are closed Jan. 6. More than 63,000 people across Kentucky, more than 45,000 across Indiana, 36,000 in Illinois, and 38,000 in Missouri are without power as of late Jan. 5.

Snow accumulations are likely across the affected region, especially at higher elevations. Lesser accumulations are possible where sleet and freezing rain mix with the snow, and precipitation is less intense. In addition to the heavy snow, strong wind gusts will likely lead to periods of blowing and drifting snow in some areas. Sporadic power outages could occur throughout the affected region.

The winter weather will likely disrupt ground and air transport across the region. Traffic and commercial trucking delays are probable along regional highways. Dangerous and challenging driving conditions are likely on secondary and rural roads in the affected states as maintenance crews prioritize clearing major routes. Authorities will probably close stretches of highways if driving conditions become too hazardous. Flight delays and cancellations are likely due to ground stops and deicing operations at regional airports.

Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying communities near rivers, streams, and creeks. Urban flooding is also possible in developed areas with easily overwhelmed stormwater drainage systems. Sites located downstream from large reservoirs or rivers may be subject to flash flooding after relatively short periods of intense rainfall. Landslides are possible in hilly or mountainous areas, especially where heavy rain has saturated the soil. Disruptions to electricity and telecommunications services are possible where significant flooding or strong winds impact utility networks.