Drivers Spin Out and Collide as Wintry Mix Affects Central US Before Shifting East

MISSION, Kan.—Road conditions worsened on Saturday across the central U.S. as a winter storm unleashed a combination of snow, ice, and falling temperatures, with forecasts predicting this hazardous mix to shift eastward in the upcoming days.

“Winter is back,” noted Bob Oravec, the lead forecaster at the National Weather Service based in College Park, Maryland.

The polar vortex of frigid air typically remains confined around the North Pole, swirling like a top. However, it sometimes breaks free or extends down into the United States, Europe, or Asia, leading to a significant number of people experiencing extreme cold.

Research indicates that a rapidly warming Arctic contributes to the increased stretching or wandering of the polar vortex.

Forecast of Snow and Ice

By Saturday evening, heavy snow was forecasted to occur between central Kansas and Indiana, particularly along and north of Interstate 70. By the afternoon, part of the interstate was closed due to the conditions. Areas in Kansas and northern Missouri were anticipated to see total accumulations of snow and sleet reaching up to 14 inches.

The storm is expected to track into the Ohio Valley, with serious travel disruptions anticipated. It will arrive in the Mid-Atlantic states from Sunday into Monday, with a hard freeze likely extending down to Florida.

Severe thunderstorms, including the potential for tornadoes and hail, were also warned of ahead of the storm’s cold front as it moves across the Lower Mississippi Valley, according to the National Weather Service.

Areas of upstate New York experienced over 3 feet of snow due to lake effect conditions, expected to persist until late Sunday afternoon.

Car Accidents Begin as Storm Approaches

A fire truck, along with several tractor-trailers and passenger vehicles, flipped over west of Salina, Kansas. Multiple rigs also jackknifed and ended up in ditches, according to state Highway Patrol Trooper Ben Gardner.

He shared a video indicating that his boots slipped across the icy highway surface like an ice-skating rink.

“We are currently in the thick of it,” Gardner remarked as he headed to the site of an accident. He implored online for prayers and cautioned that some roads were nearly impossible to navigate.

Freezing rain in Wichita, Kansas, prompted authorities to respond to numerous crashes during the morning, and the police advised drivers to stay home if they could and to be vigilant for emergency vehicles.

Governors of Missouri and Arkansas declared states of emergency. Whiteout conditions posed a risk of hazardous to impossible driving, forecasters warned, increasing the chance of becoming stranded.

“Please refrain from traveling. Crews are encountering too many vehicles out on the roads, leading to many sliding off,” Missouri’s transportation department warned on social media.

Flight Disruptions

The Kansas City International Airport briefly suspended flight operations in the afternoon due to ice accumulation. Many flights faced delays, including a charter jet carrying the Kansas City Chiefs, until runway conditions improved.

“We will continue to work through the night to keep the airfield clear,” communicated Mayor Quinton Lucas on social media.

Preparing to Endure the Storm

Shoppers filled stores in Wichita, stockpiling groceries in anticipation of the storm, while warming centers opened in local churches and libraries.

Numerous businesses closed in the Kansas City area, and the school district in suburban Independence, Missouri, indicated it might need to cancel classes for one or more days.

“If you need to travel, please do so now and stay where you are headed. If necessary, consider packing a bag,” advised the Missouri Department of Transportation on social media.

The agency had warned on Friday that staff shortages might hinder road-clearing efforts.

In Columbus, Ohio, workers were treating major roads with anti-icing solutions.

“This will be a significant headache,” stated Tom Kines, a senior meteorologist with AccuWeather. “The storm presents threats not only from snow but also from ice.”

Power outages could be extensive, especially south of the Kansas City area, Kines added.

Temperature Drops, but No Records Set

Beginning Monday, the eastern two-thirds of the country will face dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills, according to forecasters. Temperatures could fall 12 to 25 degrees below normal as the polar vortex descends from the Arctic.

In Chicago on Saturday, temperatures ranged in the teens, while around zero was reported in Minneapolis, with International Falls, Minnesota, seeing a drop to 14 below, located on the Canadian border.

Disruptions Reach Further South

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin proclaimed a state of emergency on Friday evening in advance of the storm and encouraged residents to vote early on Saturday ahead of the state’s special elections on Tuesday through a statement on social media.

Comparable declarations were made in Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, and several cities across central Illinois.

“This is serious,” meteorologist John Gordon asserted at a news conference in Louisville, Kentucky. “Are the meteorologists exaggerating this situation? Absolutely not.”

Officials in Annapolis requested residents to move their vehicles from designated emergency snow routes. The historic state capital near the Chesapeake Bay also announced plans to open several garages for free parking on Sunday.

The National Weather Service forecasted 8 to 12 inches of snow for the Annapolis region, with temperatures expected to stay below freezing throughout the weekend.

In Baltimore, an extreme weather alert was issued instructing agencies to provide shelter for those in need. City officials anticipated wind chills to plummet to 13 degrees Fahrenheit overnight on Saturday and expected frigid temperatures to remain in the teens until Tuesday.

In Louisiana, teams hurried to locate a manatee spotted in Lake Pontchartrain before the cold front arrived. The manatee was first observed on New Year’s Eve in the Mandeville region.

While manatees are typically found in the area during summer, winter sightings raise concerns since they can develop cold stress when temperatures drop below 68 degrees.

“We are making every effort to locate this animal,” stated Gabriella Harlamert, the stranding and rehab coordinator for Audubon Aquarium Rescue in New Orleans.

By Heather Hollingsworth and Brian Witte