Severe Winter Storm Hits the U.S. with Snow and Winds

A severe storm struck the United States on Sunday, with meteorologists warning that millions in the eastern regions are facing harsh weather conditions, including some of the heaviest snowfall in a decade.

The storm’s path is expected to affect areas home to over 60 million people, with polar air sweeping across the eastern half of the U.S. through Monday, causing widespread travel disruptions, according to the Associated Press.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued warnings of ice, snow, and polar winds stretching from the Central Plains to the eastern Atlantic states. Storm alerts extended over 2,400 kilometers, from western Kansas to Maryland, Delaware, and coastal Virginia.

The NWS described the storm as a “destructive winter event,” predicting heavy snowfall and significant ice accumulation in these regions through Monday.

The Weather Prediction Center forecasted heavy snow with winds exceeding 64 kilometers per hour in parts of Kansas and Missouri, with snowfall exceeding 38 centimeters in some areas—levels not seen in a decade.

The first major storm of 2025 disrupted travel, with Kansas City International Airport halting operations on Saturday due to rapid ice accumulation. Airport operations resumed later after runways and taxiways were cleared, according to Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas.

Parts of eastern New York and Pennsylvania are also expected to experience “intense snowfall” originating from the Great Lakes region, with accumulations reaching up to 61 centimeters, according to the NWS.

The storm is expected to blanket Washington, D.C., with more than 12 centimeters of snow, with nearby areas potentially seeing double that amount. Freezing rain and sleet from Kansas to Kentucky and Virginia could lead to dangerous road conditions, fallen trees, and power outages, potentially leaving millions without electricity during the cold spell.

The NWS warned of “long-term power outages” and significant tree damage in the affected areas.