Janice R. Andrews
Another series of winter storms is set to impact millions across the U.S. this week, bringing heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain to nearly 200 million people in 40 states. The storms follow a pattern of severe winter weather that has already disrupted travel and caused power outages in many regions. Here’s the latest forecast and what to expect.
First Storm: Heavy Snow and Ice Threat
The first storm will develop over the Plains on Monday before moving into the Appalachians, mid-Atlantic, and Northeast by Tuesday. States like Kansas, Missouri, Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware could see up to 6 inches of snow, with snowfall rates of 1 inch per hour possible along the I-70 and I-95 corridors.
Ice accumulations of up to a quarter-inch are expected in the Appalachians, particularly in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The National Weather Service warns that freezing rain could make travel dangerous, with potential power outages and tree damage.
Second Storm: Expanding Ice Concerns
A second storm will follow a more northerly track on Wednesday and Thursday, bringing snow, sleet, and freezing rain from Colorado to Maine. While the Plains and Midwest could see 4 to 8 inches of snow, the mid-Atlantic and Northeast face significant ice threats.
AccuWeather warns that cities like Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Binghamton, New York; and Springfield, Massachusetts, could experience sleet and freezing rain, creating hazardous conditions.
Third Storm: Coast-to-Coast Impacts
A third storm will bring heavy snow to the Sierra Nevadas and Rockies, along with heavy rain to California, including wildfire-ravaged areas in Southern California. The National Weather Service in Los Angeles warns of life-threatening debris flows in recent burn scars.
This system will then move into the Plains and Midwest, spreading snow from Kansas to Michigan on Friday and Saturday. The Northeast could see additional snow and ice this weekend as the storm progresses.
Arctic Blast Adds to the Chill
In addition to the storms, an arctic blast will plunge temperatures in the Upper Midwest to 25–40 degrees below average by Tuesday evening. Frigid conditions are expected to persist through mid-February, with below-normal temperatures forecast for much of the northern U.S.
