Central U.S. Faces Heavy Snow, Ice, and Wind; Millions Under Winter Weather Warnings Amid Potential Decade-Heavy Snowfall.
A severe winter storm impacted parts of the central U.S. on Sunday, causing hazardous travel conditions due to snow, ice, wind, and freezing temperatures.
Major roadways were covered in snow and ice across nearly all of Kansas, western Nebraska, and parts of Indiana. The Indiana National Guard was called in to assist motorists stranded by the conditions.
Forecasts indicated that some areas could see at least 8 inches of snow, particularly north of Interstate 70. The National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings for Kansas and Missouri, reporting blizzard conditions. The warnings also extended to New Jersey for Monday and early Tuesday.
The weather service noted that areas receiving the highest snow totals may experience the most significant snowfall in a decade.
Approximately 63 million people in the U.S. were subject to winter weather advisories, watches, or warnings on Sunday, as reported by Bob Oravec of the National Weather Service.
The extreme cold was linked to the polar vortex, which typically circulates around the North Pole. When it stretches southward, it brings intense cold to regions including the U.S., Europe, and Asia.
