Blizzard and ice storm unleash chaos in central US

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NEW YORK, Dec 27: A powerful winter storm, fueled by blizzard conditions, wreaked havoc across the Plains and upper Midwest, disrupting travel plans during the busy holiday week. The storm, characterized by heavy snow, freezing rain, and strong winds, led to dangerous road conditions, prompting warnings from the National Weather Service.

The storm’s relentless wind gusts, reaching up to 75 mph in isolated areas, generated blizzard conditions on Monday and Tuesday. Blizzard warnings were issued for parts of Nebraska, South Dakota, Kansas, Colorado, and Wyoming, where visibility dropped to a quarter-mile or less. The low visibility prompted the closure of a significant stretch of highways in western Nebraska, affecting both westbound and eastbound lanes.

Several areas, including parts of South Dakota, experienced over a foot of snowfall, contributing to widespread travel disruptions. The National Weather Service reported significant snowfall in places like Gregory, Deadwood, Aurora (Colorado), and Norfolk (Nebraska).

Residents were strongly advised to avoid travel, and those on the road were urged to carry survival kits in case of stranding. Blizzard warnings and ice storm warnings were set to expire across the Central and Northern Plains by late Tuesday to early Wednesday. However, light to moderate snow, rain, and freezing rain were expected to persist in some regions through early Wednesday morning.

As the storm winds down, the Midwest will see the conclusion of snowfall by the end of Wednesday, while freezing rain will cease over the Northern Plains. Additionally, the threat of excessive rainfall across the Appalachian Mountains is expected to conclude.

Despite the storm’s expected resolution, a marginal risk for excessive rainfall remains for parts of the I-95 corridor in the northern Mid-Atlantic and the Northeast on Wednesday. Major cities, including Washington, DC, Philadelphia, and New York City, may experience travel and flight delays.

Travelers faced significant challenges during the storm, with reports of road closures, stranded drivers, and adverse weather conditions. Some areas experienced a shift from snow to ice, posing additional threats such as scattered power outages and treacherously icy roads.

While the storm is anticipated to lose intensity by Tuesday night, lingering snow showers or a mix of rain and wet snow may persist for the Plains. Widespread and disruptive weather is expected to come to an end by midweek. The storm’s impact began on Monday, causing accidents, road closures, and challenging travel conditions in Nebraska and the Dakotas. As the storm moves away, affected regions are left to cope with the aftermath of this severe winter weather event.

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