The first significant winter storm of 2025 is poised to strike the central and eastern United States, packing a punch with heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain. This storm, beginning Friday, will impact much of the northern Plains to mid-Atlantic, making travel difficult and disrupting daily activities for Americans.
A Powerful Winter Storm to Affect Many
It’s expected to stretch from the central Plains through the Ohio Valley into the mid-Atlantic in a wide swath, sometimes light and sometimes heavy. Some areas see heavy snow, but it’s sleet, freezing rain, and thunderstorms for others. The National Weather Service has issued Winter Storm Watches for parts of central and south-central Kansas, with the agency cautioning that there is potential for disruptions.
Snowfall over four inches, with accumulations of more than one-tenth of an inch of ice, could hit the hardest-hit areas. Wind gusts as high as 35 mph could lead to hazardous conditions of drifting snow and near-blizzard conditions.
Timing and Regional Impact
The slow-moving storm system will begin to get underway Friday across the northern Plains, transitioning into the central Plains by the weekend and into the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys. A swath of snow and ice will stretch Sunday across the central Plains and lower Ohio Valley.
By Sunday night, impacts will push into the mid-South, central Appalachians and perhaps the mid-Atlantic. Residents should prepare for hazardous travel conditions and power outages.
Heavy snow is most likely in the central Plains north of Interstate 70, where it will pile up and disrupt activity; a mid-South ice storm from Kansas to the Tennessee Valley could leave trees and power lines icing over.
Preparing for the Storm
The NWS strongly encourages residents to stay tuned into local forecasts for the latest updates and prepare accordingly. Residents within areas of concern should have emergency kits on hand, along with extra flashlights, batteries, and non-perishable food. Travelers are urged to consider adjusting plans and avoiding travel during the storm’s peak.
Of course, it is very important in these conditions to be well informed by reliable weather forecasts, enabling one to take necessary measures for protection. The combination of snow, ice, and wind in this winter storm speaks volumes about preparedness against violent weather.
