Snowstorm across Midwest and Northern Plains bring blizzard conditions, power outages and travel chaos
Between two and ten inches of snow is expected to fall in affected areas
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A powerful winter storm is currently hammering the Midwest US and Northern Plains, bringing blizzard conditions, power outages and travel chaos to multiple states.
The National Weather Service has issued blizzard warnings from northern Colorado and Kansas through to parts of Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota on Monday, with between two and ten inches of snow expected to fall in some areas.
“Snow may accumulate at 1 to 2 inches per hour in heavier bands,” the weather service said.
The agency also warned that travel could be “near impossible at times” in affected areas, with winds of over 50 miles per hour expected to hit.
Strong winds could also cause widespread power outages, with falling trees hitting power lines.
It comes after a storm dumped more than two feet of snow on areas including Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont last week. Following last week’s storm, around 160,000 homes and businesses were still without power across the Northeast as of late Sunday night, according to PowerOutage.us.
Aurora Borealis visible in parts of US after ‘rare’ space storm
The Aurora Borealis was visible in parts of the US on Sunday night due to a rare geomagnetic storm.
A geomagnetic storm is a major disturbance to the Earth’s outer magnetic field most commonly caused by a strong surge of solar wind from the Sun known as a “coronal mass ejection,” according to the US Geological Survey.
The event meant the Northern Lights were visible in parts of he Pacific Northwest, Northern Plains, Great Lakes and interior Northeast on Sunday night.
Storms sweep the US from coast to coast causing frigid temps, power outages and traffic accidents
Heavy rain and quarter-sized hail fell in Southern California Sunday as the National Weather Service predicted lightning and wind gusts approaching 60 mph (97 kph) in the mountain area earlier in the day.
The California storm was moving south from the Sierra Nevada, where areas around Lake Tahoe received about a foot (30 cm) of new snow and Mammoth Mountain reported up to 18 inches (45 cm) by Sunday morning. A day earlier, the resort was forced to close several ski lifts after a 91-mph (147-kph) wind gust was recorded.
A 35-year-old woman was rescued after being swept away in the storm-swollen Los Angeles River, the LA Fire Department said. She was airlifted to a hospital with minor injuries and hypothermia, the department said.
Read more:
Storms sweep the US from coast to coast causing frigid temps, power outages and traffic accidents
Heavy rain and quarter-sized hail fell in Southern California as the National Weather Service predicted lightning and wind gusts approaching 60 mph in the mountain area Sunday
Hardy souls across New England shoveling out after major snow storm
Hardy souls across New England were spending their Sunday shoveling out after a major storm dumped more than two feet of snow in some areas, causing multiple road accidents, downing power lines and leaving hundreds of thousands across the Northeast without electricity.
Road conditions were dangerous Saturday night for crews seeking to restore power, according to Central Maine Power, which said the company’s focus overnight was responding to emergency calls and making downed power lines safe.
As of daylight Sunday, crews began assessing and clearing damage to begin widespread power restoration efforts. The company said it anticipates a multi-day effort in areas hardest hit by the storm.
Read more:
Hardy souls across New England shoveling out after major snow storm
Hardy souls across New England were spending their Sunday shoveling out after a major storm dumped more than two feet of snow in some areas, causing multiple road accidents, downing power lines and leaving hundreds of thousands across the Northeast waiting for their electricity to be restored
In pictures: Heavy rainfall hits NY
National Weather Service predicts snow to fall at 6-12 inches from central Nebraska to northeastern Minnesota
The area of the country spanning from central Nebraska to northeastern Minnesota is expected to get inches of snow this week, according to the National Weather Service. The agency is expected snow to fall at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour.
“Heavy snow and gusty winds approaching 50 mph will produce blizzard conditions with near zero visibility into early Tuesday,” the agency said in a news release. “Travel could be nearly impossible. Power outages and tree damage are likely in some areas due to the heavy and wet snow combined with icing and strong winds.”
The Aurora Borealis potentially visible on Monday due to storms
The Aurora Borealis will potentially be visible from the US, as far south as the Midwest. Observes wanting to catch a glimpse of the northern lights should find a dark place to look, such as a hill or beach that has an unobstructed view to the south. The best time to watch is between 10pm and 2am.
Snowfall expected to last until Wednesday
Officials with the National Weather Service are predicting that the snowfall could last until Wednesday, according to an advisory released on Monday.
Heavy snow and gusty winds approaching 50mph will create blizzard conditions with near zero visibility into early Tuesday, the release noted, making travel almost impossible.
Areas of the Mississippi Valley and Gulf Coast will experience scattered rain showers and thunderstorms in addition to a cold front on Monday. In Texas, tornadoes and damaging winds are possible in the eastern side of the state through the Lower Mississippi Valley, according to the Storm Prediction Center.
Severe rain could turn into flooding in southern Missouri through Arkansas, Mississippi and west-central Alabama.
Latest photos as heavy snow hits Midwest
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