Major Winter Storm Hits Mid-Atlantic States in the U.S.

The first significant winter storm of the year arrived in the U.S. Middle Atlantic states on Monday morning, leading to the closure of federal offices and public schools in Washington D.C. after dropping over a foot of snow in the Ohio Valley and Central Plains. The U.S. National Weather Service forecasts that the nation’s capital will see 6 to 9 inches of snow before the storm moves out to sea.

Governors in several states, including Kansas, Kentucky, Arkansas, West Virginia, and Virginia, have declared states of emergency in response to the storm. Following the storm, frigid Arctic air is moving in, bringing freezing rain and icy conditions from Illinois through Maryland and Virginia, leading to hazardous driving conditions.

Hundreds of schools preemptively announced closures due to the storm, affecting public schools in Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Washington, and Philadelphia. The storm has also left over a quarter of a million homes and businesses without power in central and southern U.S. areas. Additionally, flight disruptions have been reported, with 1,450 flights canceled and over 11,000 delayed, impacting airports in New York, Chicago, and Washington.

Despite the storm, the U.S. Congress is set to meet on Monday to formally certify Donald Trump’s election as president, according to House Speaker Mike Johnson. However, federal offices in Washington D.C. will be closed. The storm’s aftermath includes bitter cold wind chills in parts of Kansas, with values reaching almost 25 degrees Fahrenheit below zero. The cold air will persist through the day, with daytime highs only in the mid-teens to lower 20s.

Stay safe and warm as you navigate the impacts of this winter storm in your area.