This winter storm, impacting nearly 20 states across the United States, has prompted widespread school closures and significant travel disruptions. Heavy snowfall, ice, and sleet are creating hazardous conditions, prompting authorities to issue winter storm warnings and advisories. The National Weather Service (NWS) has deployed an interactive map detailing the affected regions, with pink signifying winter storm warnings along coastal areas, bright purple indicating coastal storm warnings, and light blue representing cold weather warnings. The storm’s wide-reaching impact underscores the importance of monitoring weather updates and taking necessary precautions.
The storm’s impact is most heavily felt across the eastern and central United States, with winter storm warnings in effect for New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky. Advisories have been issued for Vermont, New York, North Carolina, a swath of western states including Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming, as well as Alaska. The widespread nature of the storm necessitates preparedness and caution, particularly for those in affected areas.
School closures have been a significant consequence of the storm, particularly in Ohio and Kentucky. Dozens of Ohio school districts, including Cincinnati Public Schools, have announced closures. In Kentucky, numerous counties, including Anderson, Breathitt, Clark, Elliott, Estill, Floyd, Franklin, Harrison, Jessamine, Johnson, Knott, Lee, Magoffin, Mercer, Powell, and Rockcastle, have closed schools on Tuesday. Fayette, Morgan, and Wolfe counties have extended closures through Wednesday. Many other Kentucky counties have transitioned to virtual instruction due to the inclement weather. Private schools and universities in Kentucky have also implemented closures and virtual learning days.
West Virginia has seen widespread school closures as well, with nearly 40 of its 55 counties shutting down public schools. The West Virginia Department of Education’s website provides a comprehensive list of affected schools. Some counties, including Clay, Lincoln, Mingo, and Pocahontas, have opted for virtual instruction. In Pennsylvania, the Laurel Highlands School District is conducting classes virtually, while other districts have implemented delayed openings. Maryland’s Montgomery County Public Schools have announced closures for Tuesday. In Virginia, numerous school districts, including Arlington, Falls Church City, Fairfax County, Fauquier County, Loudoun County, and Stafford County, are closed on Tuesday, with Culpeper County extending closures through Wednesday.
The National Weather Service has highlighted the significant snowfall accumulations, with reports of up to 18 inches near Interstate 70 in Kansas and even several feet of snow in upstate New York. The widespread and heavy snowfall underscores the severity of the storm and its potential for disruption. Following the storm’s passage, frigid temperatures are expected across much of the central and eastern United States, according to the NWS Weather Prediction Center. This forecast emphasizes the need for continued vigilance and preparation for ongoing winter weather challenges.
The impending arrival of an Arctic polar vortex is expected to exacerbate the cold conditions across much of the United States in the coming weeks, further compounding the challenges posed by this winter storm. This reinforces the need for individuals and communities to take necessary precautions to ensure safety and minimize disruptions. Staying informed about weather updates, preparing for potential power outages, and taking measures to protect against extreme cold are crucial steps in mitigating the impact of these weather events.
