Millions brace for dangerous winter storm as freezing rain and snow threaten power and travel
Pranjal Chandra | THE TIMES OF INDIA NEWS SERVICE | Feb 06, 2025, 23:05 IST
( Image credit : TIL Creatives )
A massive winter storm is sweeping through the northern and eastern U.S., causing freezing rain, snow, and high winds. Nearly 100 million people across 22 states are under winter weather alerts. The storm is disrupting roads, air travel, and power infrastructure, with significant ice accumulation expected in various regions.
A massive winter storm is gripping the northern and eastern United States, bringing a hazardous mix of freezing rain, snow, and powerful winds that are expected to create widespread disruptions. With winter weather alerts affecting nearly 100 million people across 22 states, officials are urging caution as dangerous conditions develop across roads, air travel, and power infrastructure.
Forecasters warn that the storm will make its way through major metropolitan areas, including Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston, with significant ice accumulation expected in some regions. Freezing rain is already causing treacherous travel conditions, leading to school closures across Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. The National Weather Service (NWS) has emphasized that even a small amount of ice on roadways can turn commutes into a nightmare, as rain freezes instantly upon contact with cold surfaces.
Some of the most severe impacts are expected in eastern West Virginia, northern Virginia, and south-central Pennsylvania, where up to half an inch of ice could accumulate. The weight of the ice may bring down tree limbs and power lines, increasing the likelihood of outages. Elsewhere, areas northwest of the Interstate 95 corridor, stretching from Washington to Philadelphia, could see up to a quarter inch of ice, making untreated roads particularly dangerous.
Snowfall will add to the winter woes, with two to five feet expected in parts of New England. In cities like Hartford and Boston, residents can expect at least two to four inches of fresh snow, while lighter accumulations are forecasted for New York City and Philadelphia. Blizzard conditions could also develop in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula, where high winds and blowing snow may reduce visibility to near zero.
Transportation across the region is already being affected. In Pennsylvania, officials have banned commercial vehicles from multiple interstates to minimize accidents caused by slippery roads. Airports are feeling the impact as well, with more than 60 flight cancellations and over 600 delays recorded early Thursday, according to FlightAware. With icy conditions expected to persist throughout the day, travelers should brace for further disruptions.
Officials are reminding residents to take extra precautions as freezing rain makes its way across the region. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has cautioned that ice-covered roads are far more treacherous than snowy ones, as vehicles have little to no traction. Experts stress that even experienced drivers can easily lose control on slick surfaces.
While the worst of the storm is expected to subside by Thursday evening, high winds will take over as a new low-pressure system sweeps in from southeast Canada. A second storm system is also developing and could bring another round of ice to the Ohio River Valley and Mid-Atlantic this weekend, potentially disrupting travel plans for Super Bowl Sunday.
Meanwhile, the West Coast is also bracing for extreme weather. Heavy rain is forecast across California, with several feet of snow likely in the Sierra Nevada. Higher elevations in northern California and southern Oregon could see over a foot of snow. The storm will then push eastward, bringing heavy snowfall to the Great Basin, northern Rockies, and northern Plains.
While the North deals with ice and snow, states in the South are experiencing an unusual heatwave. Some areas in the Southwest and southern Plains are seeing record-breaking temperatures in the 70s and 80s, creating a stark contrast between the freezing conditions up north and the unseasonable warmth in the south.
As the storms continue to move across the country, residents in affected areas are urged to monitor weather updates, prepare for possible power outages, and avoid unnecessary travel. With freezing rain and snow threatening multiple states, officials stress that staying informed
Forecasters warn that the storm will make its way through major metropolitan areas, including Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston, with significant ice accumulation expected in some regions. Freezing rain is already causing treacherous travel conditions, leading to school closures across Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. The National Weather Service (NWS) has emphasized that even a small amount of ice on roadways can turn commutes into a nightmare, as rain freezes instantly upon contact with cold surfaces.
Some of the most severe impacts are expected in eastern West Virginia, northern Virginia, and south-central Pennsylvania, where up to half an inch of ice could accumulate. The weight of the ice may bring down tree limbs and power lines, increasing the likelihood of outages. Elsewhere, areas northwest of the Interstate 95 corridor, stretching from Washington to Philadelphia, could see up to a quarter inch of ice, making untreated roads particularly dangerous.
Snowfall will add to the winter woes, with two to five feet expected in parts of New England. In cities like Hartford and Boston, residents can expect at least two to four inches of fresh snow, while lighter accumulations are forecasted for New York City and Philadelphia. Blizzard conditions could also develop in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula, where high winds and blowing snow may reduce visibility to near zero.
Transportation across the region is already being affected. In Pennsylvania, officials have banned commercial vehicles from multiple interstates to minimize accidents caused by slippery roads. Airports are feeling the impact as well, with more than 60 flight cancellations and over 600 delays recorded early Thursday, according to FlightAware. With icy conditions expected to persist throughout the day, travelers should brace for further disruptions.
Officials are reminding residents to take extra precautions as freezing rain makes its way across the region. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has cautioned that ice-covered roads are far more treacherous than snowy ones, as vehicles have little to no traction. Experts stress that even experienced drivers can easily lose control on slick surfaces.
While the worst of the storm is expected to subside by Thursday evening, high winds will take over as a new low-pressure system sweeps in from southeast Canada. A second storm system is also developing and could bring another round of ice to the Ohio River Valley and Mid-Atlantic this weekend, potentially disrupting travel plans for Super Bowl Sunday.
Meanwhile, the West Coast is also bracing for extreme weather. Heavy rain is forecast across California, with several feet of snow likely in the Sierra Nevada. Higher elevations in northern California and southern Oregon could see over a foot of snow. The storm will then push eastward, bringing heavy snowfall to the Great Basin, northern Rockies, and northern Plains.
While the North deals with ice and snow, states in the South are experiencing an unusual heatwave. Some areas in the Southwest and southern Plains are seeing record-breaking temperatures in the 70s and 80s, creating a stark contrast between the freezing conditions up north and the unseasonable warmth in the south.
As the storms continue to move across the country, residents in affected areas are urged to monitor weather updates, prepare for possible power outages, and avoid unnecessary travel. With freezing rain and snow threatening multiple states, officials stress that staying informed