Winter Storm Brings Blizzard Conditions and Treacherous Travel Across Central US
A severe winter storm has swept across the Plains and upper Midwest, bringing blizzard conditions, heavy snow, freezing rain, and powerful winds. The storm, peaking on Monday and Tuesday, has created hazardous travel situations during a key holiday travel week.
The National Weather Service reported blizzard warnings in several states, including Nebraska, South Dakota, Kansas, Colorado, and Wyoming. Blizzard conditions are characterized by sustained winds and blowing snow that reduce visibility to a quarter-mile or less for at least three hours. These conditions have led to significant travel disruptions, including the closure of over 200 miles of Interstate 80 and Highway 30 in western Nebraska.
South Dakota and Colorado experienced significant snowfall, with Gregory in South Dakota receiving 13.8 inches and Aurora in Colorado getting 7.5 inches. Nebraska also saw notable accumulations, with Norfolk reporting 7 inches of snow.
Authorities have urged residents to avoid travel and carry survival kits if they must venture out, cautioning them to stay in their vehicles if stranded. The blizzard warnings and ice storm warnings were set to expire late Tuesday into early Wednesday, with the storm expected to lose most of its potency by midweek.
Travelers have been impacted significantly, with stranded individuals seeking shelter in hotels and motels. One traveler, Bradley Sanders, reported being stuck in Ogallala, Nebraska, while Amanda Dawn Benitez, traveling with her family, shared her experience of being caught in the blizzard.
The storm also brought a mix of sleet and freezing rain, causing potential power outages and icy roads in the Dakotas and Minnesota. North Dakota issued travel advisories for 14 counties, and parts of Interstate 94 were closed due to traffic incidents.
As the storm begins to wind down, the central US will see a gradual end to disruptive weather, though some snow showers or rain may linger in the Plains. The focus shifts to the I-95 corridor of the northern Mid-Atlantic and the Northeast, where a marginal risk of excessive rainfall exists, potentially affecting major cities like Washington, DC; Philadelphia; and New York City.
