Snow, winds and tornadoes: the powerful winter storm that puts more than 80 million people at risk in 25 US states

More of 80 million Americans will be on alert between Wednesday night and Thursday because of a winter storm that has caused a wave of severe weather in 25 US states, in a region that includes from Colorado to western Kentuckywhere snowfall, strong winds and tornadoes are expected.

eastern parts of Arkansas, northern Mississippi, and western Tennessee face the greatest threat of severe weather for Wednesday night.

According to the National Weather Service, storm warnings extend from New Mexico to Illinois and storm watches strong winds remain in force throughout the southwest. In addition, they might register tornadoes from Texas to Alabama and Ohio.

By Thursday, it is forecast that the alert will extend from the Alabama Gulf Coast to the shores of Lake Erie, in western New York.

This is what is expected to happen in the states that will be affected by severe weather in the next few hours.

What states will be affected by snowfall?

The system will produce from Wednesday night a swath of snow from northern Kansas to southern Nebraska and central Michigan for the next 48 hours.

snowfall rates might reach 1 to 2 inches per hour accompanied by strong winds.

A swath of heavy snow is expected from Colorado to Michigan to persist through Thursday.

Some areas, especially in Kansas and Nebraska, might see 6 to 12 inches of snow. Chicago might also pack several inches.

Risk of massive power outages in Texas

The service also noted that there is likely to be blackout conditions in the territories of Texas and Oklahoma, Kansas and southern Nebraska.

Additionally, widely dispersed severe thunderstorms are expected over parts of Texas and Oklahoma tonight, where a Level 2 of 5 severe storm threat exists.

It was also predicted fall of large balls of hail greater than 2 inches in diameter, in addition to damaging winds and isolated tornadoes.

Chance of tornadoes in three states

Nighttime tornadoes may occur Wednesday night through early Thursday morning from Arkansas to Tennessee and northern Mississippi. Included in this alert are the cities of Memphis and Greenville.

Mississippi is the state with the highest potential for tornadoes.some possibly EF-2 or stronger, which can pack winds of up to 135 mph.

While the threat of tornadoes will be mostly contained in the south, meteorologists with the Storm Prediction Center said storms that spawn tornadoes are possible as far north as Ohio.

Concern over ‘supercells’ spawning tornadoes

Meteorologists also raised concerns regarding isolated thunderstorms called ‘supercells’ that form ahead of a main line of thunderstorms. Are supercells have the potential to create tornadoessome of which might be strong, across parts of eastern Arkansas, northern Mississippi, and western Tennessee Wednesday night.

“Supercells often have a higher frequency of producing stronger tornadoes,” he told the newspaper. The New York Times Tony Lyza, coordinating meteorologist for the PERiLS project, a collaboration of researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

A bigger threat for Thursday

On Thursday, the threat of severe weather will expand to nearly 50 million people from the central Gulf coast to the eastern Great Lakes.

The morning will begin with severe thunderstorms in Arkansas and Louisiana. As the day progresses and temperatures rise, the storms will get stronger as they enter Mississippi and Alabama.

The extreme temperatures have not given respite to almost the entire US territory. Barely two weeks ago an ‘arctic explosion’ was recorded, a storm that brought temperatures as low as had not been felt in decades.

Days before, another series of winter storms that hit the south of the country, leaving at least six people deadcaused the cancellation of more than 2,400 flights and power cuts that affected hundreds of thousands of users.

The storm system stretched from Minnesota to the heart of Texas, affecting more than 40 million people.

At the end of 2022, a fierce storm described as “the worst storm in half a century” left around 50 dead, 27 of them in Buffalo, New York, due to low temperatures and accidents caused by bad weather conditions.

1/10

The pile-up occurred on Interstate 70, which has been closed by authorities in both directions. The Colorado Highway Patrol reported that 9 trucks and 12 private vehicles were involved in the incident with no injuries reported. A powerful winter storm has battered parts, leaving snowfall records not seen since 1992.

Credit: CSP / Twitter

2/10

Colorado authorities did not indicate when they might reopen traffic on I-70, but warned that it will take until Thursday to erase the traces of the accident. Likewise, they recommend drivers not to take alternative routes because adverse weather conditions still persist that turn the roads into authentic skating rinks.

Credit: CSP Twitter

3/10

The Colorado Department of Transportation said lanes were closed due to near-zero visibility conditions. The weather forecast warns of new snow storms this week.

Click here to continue with the gallery

4/10

The Colorado State Patrol asks travelers to stay home while inclement weather persists. “If the trip is unavoidable, take the time before the storm begins to ensure that your vehicle is properly equipped,” says a recommendation from the authorities.

Elbert County Office of Emergency Management / Facebook

5/10

The roads have been closed as a precaution. Colorado authorities recommend travelers bring extra clothing, snow boots and blankets, along with some food and water in case they must shelter in their vehicles for some time.

Credit: Elbert County Office of Emergency Management / Facebook

6/10

In Denver, up to 18 inches of snow were expected this Wednesday due to the passage of a new winter storm. The system has caused the closure of several highways and the cancellation of hundreds of flights.

Click here to continue with the gallery

7/10

Hours before the pileup on I-70, there was another collision on a secondary road, the Colorado Highway Patrol reported. There were no injuries, but authorities warned regarding “how quickly things can change” when driving in difficult conditions.

Credit: CSP / Twitter

8/10

This is how a patrol was left impacted by another vehicle that slid down the road.

Credit: CPS / Twitter

9/10

A bulldozer truck removes snowpack from a Denver avenue following a winter storm with heavy snow blanketed the state.

Credit: David Zalubowski/AP

Click here to continue with the gallery

10/10

A man clears accumulated snow in Denver following a brutal snowstorm left roads impassable.

Credit: David Zalubowski/AP