Storm will bring heavy snow, dangerous ice from Plains to East Coast: NPR

The National Weather Service’s Winter Storm Severity Index shows areas expected to be affected by the storm.

NWS Weather Prediction Center/NPR screenshot

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NWS Weather Prediction Center/NPR screenshot

The first weekend of 2025 will see the coldest air of the season, according to the National Weather Service. The first significant winter storm of the year will affect 62 million people starting Saturday afternoon and lasting through Monday.

Heavy snow, ice, rain and severe thunderstorms will be unleashed from the Plains to the East Coast. Although snow and ice have been limited to northern states this winter, the upcoming storm will impact areas less prone to winter conditions.

“The main winter storm will bring significant disturbances to the Central Plains by Saturday evening, spreading to the Ohio Valley on Sunday,” the NWS said.

Travel delays are likely as the storm is expected to reach the mid-Atlantic Sunday evening. Severe thunderstorms are expected in areas with warmer temperatures. The storm could also impact Texas and Mississippi, which are still recovering from last month’s deadly storms.

States brace for heavy snow and dangerous conditions

A nasty mix of sleet, snow and freezing rain is expected to disrupt travel and daily life across the central United States, according to the NWS Winter Storm Severity Index.

The storm will begin with a deep push of moist air moving north from the Gulf of Mexico, which will spread rain and snow across the Plains. As it strengthens and expands, it will move eastward and extend into the Mississippi Valley and parts of the Midwest on Sunday morning, and reach the East Coast on Sunday evening and Monday morning .

The authorities have already started to prepare for the worst. On Friday, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson placed the National Guard on standby and Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia declared a state of emergency. Youngkin urged people to avoid traveling on Sunday.

“I encourage all Virginians, visitors and travelers to remain vigilant, monitor the weather forecast and prepare now for any potential impacts,” Youngkin said in a statement.

Large cities like Chicago, St. Louis and Washington, D.C., have also begun pretreating their roads and preparing warming centers.

Blizzard-like conditions expected in the Central Plains

Heavy snowfall and wind gusts over 40 mph could create blizzard conditions across the Central Plains by Sunday morning. The region from central Kansas to Indiana could receive at least 8 inches of snow, with potential snow showers lingering into Monday.

The NWS Weather Prediction Center said the most severe conditions will likely be found in locations along the Interstate 70 corridor, which runs through St. Louis and Indianapolis.

There is also “potential for significant icing” in the south-central this weekend, forecasters say. Icing is when rain freezes on contact with the ground. It can also affect cars and car windows – basically any exterior surface.

A thin layer of ice can create dangerous road conditions for vehicles and pedestrians. Thicker layers of ice can cause power outages and make roads impassable. Last year, a January ice storm left thousands without power and first responders struggled to reach those who needed help.

Thunderstorms expected in warmer climates

States too warm for snow will also experience severe weather. Severe thunderstorms are likely Sunday in parts of Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi, according to the NWS Storm Prediction Center.

The southeast is expected to see the heaviest rainfall and the storm could cause flooding. There is also an increased risk of thunderstorms in parts of the Lower Mississippi Valley on Sunday.

This storm is expected to pass Monday evening. It will leave the East Coast Monday evening and completely diminish its impact overnight. But temperatures are expected to drop on Tuesday. The eastern two-thirds of the United States will experience temperatures 30 degrees below normal and the frigid air could last until mid-January.