A massive winter storm is sweeping across North America, bringing snow, ice, and freezing temperatures to a wide region of the U.S. Over 60 million Americans are under weather alerts as the storm intensifies.
On Monday morning, much of the country woke up to subzero temperatures, with Kansas expected to experience some of the coldest conditions. The Washington D.C. area, in particular, is bracing for an unusually heavy snowfall.
The storm, named Storm Blair, is being driven by the polar vortex, a mass of frigid air circulating around the Arctic. As of early Monday, FlightAware reported over 1,400 flight cancellations and 800 delays in the U.S.
States of emergency have been declared in Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Arkansas, and parts of New Jersey. Blizzard-like conditions have also affected much of Canada, where some areas have already seen up to a foot (30 cm) of snow.
A total of 30 U.S. states, stretching from the Midwest to the East Coast, are under weather warnings, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Major cities like Washington D.C. and Philadelphia are among the impacted areas.
Sunday, the storm’s most intense day, saw widespread road closures, and several states, including Virginia, Maryland, Indiana, and Kentucky, shut down schools on Monday. Thousands of drivers were stranded across the Midwest, with significant accidents reported in Kansas, Indiana, Kentucky, and Virginia.
Blizzard warnings are in effect for Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska, with Kansas City seeing its heaviest snowfall in 32 years—over a foot (30-40 cm) so far. Northern Missouri has already experienced 14 inches (36 cm) of snow and sleet.
As the storm moves eastward, Washington D.C. and surrounding areas are preparing for heavy snow and plummeting temperatures on Monday, the same day Congress is scheduled to certify Donald Trump’s election as president. Despite the conditions, House Speaker Mike Johnson assured that lawmakers would proceed with their duties, though federal offices in D.C. have been closed.
The NWS predicts this winter storm could bring the “heaviest snowfall in at least a decade,” while AccuWeather meteorologist Dan DePodwin warned that temperatures could dip 12-25°F (7-14°C) below average for the next week. He added that this could lead to the coldest January in the U.S. since 2011.
In Canada, the effects of the polar vortex are being felt as extreme weather alerts cover much of the country. Freezing temperatures and snow squalls, which involve sudden heavy snowfall with strong winds, are widespread. In Manitoba, wind chill factors could make temperatures feel as low as -40°C.
In Ontario, up to 15 inches (38 cm) of snow were forecasted on Sunday. Meanwhile, Amtrak has canceled several rail services, and airlines such as American, Delta, Southwest, and United are waiving change fees due to potential flight disruptions.
Travel conditions are becoming increasingly dangerous, with numerous accidents reported, including a fire engine overturning near Salina, Kansas. The NWS has warned of whiteout conditions, making travel treacherous and increasing the likelihood of motorists becoming stranded.
Severe thunderstorms with the potential for tornadoes were also expected to sweep through Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama on Sunday evening. Meteorologist Ryan Maue described the situation as “a potential disaster” and cautioned that the storm is unlike anything the region has seen in years.
The ongoing weather system is expected to cause widespread disruptions, with travel, power outages, and safety concerns for millions of people across North America.