Winter Storm Alert: 60 Million Brace for Snow and Ice

Get ready, folks! A massive winter storm is heading our way, and it's going to be a wild ride for about 60 million people from the Plains to the Mid-Atlantic. This low-pressure system is expected to bring heavy snow, strong winds, and freezing rain, starting as early as this afternoon in some places. Cities like Kansas City, Omaha, and St. Louis should be prepared for blizzard-like conditions by Sunday, with wind gusts reaching up to 40 mph. The storm will move eastward throughout Sunday, targeting Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky with heavy snow and ice. Meanwhile, the Lower Mississippi Valley will face a severe weather risk, with seven million people at risk for tornadoes, damaging winds, and hail. By Monday morning, the Mid-Atlantic and central Appalachians will see snow, with areas like Washington D. C. , Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh affected. Kansas, Missouri, and Illinois are likely to see the most snow, with totals ranging from 9 to 16 inches. Other areas from Illinois to the Mid-Atlantic can expect 4 to 9 inches. Significant icing is expected from Kansas to Virginia, with possible power outages, tree damage, and treacherous travel conditions. After the storm, a big chill is coming. Temperatures will drop by 10 to 25 degrees below average from Sunday to Friday. The Northern Plains will be the coldest, with overnight lows dipping to -20 degrees and wind chills around -40 degrees. Cold weather advisories are in place from eastern Montana to Minnesota.