Blizzard conditions slam Plains states, Midwest
A powerful storm was unleashing heavy snow and blizzard conditions across the north-central United States Monday, prompting severe weather warnings, school closures and major road closures.
Meteorologists said the storm could dump 6-12 inches from central Nebraska to northeastern Minnesota, the National Weather Service said, adding that, in heavier bands, snow could fall at rates of 1-2 inches per hour.
“Heavy snow and gusty winds approaching 50 mph will produce blizzard conditions with near zero visibility into early Tuesday,” the weather service warned. “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 storm created disruptions and closures. South Dakota State University announced the campus would be closed through Monday night. And many school districts across South Dakota, Nebraska and Wisconsin announced classes were either canceled or delayed.
The blizzard conditions also prompted authorities to close parts of major highways, including Interstate 80, which runs across the country from San Francisco to New Jersey and cuts through southern Nebraska.
“Road conditions and visibility are poor in many areas of the state,” the South Dakota Highway Patrol said in Monday morning a post on X.
Across east Texas through the Lower Mississippi Valley, thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes were anticipated into Monday night, the National Weather Service said. There was the possibility of heavy rain and flash flooding stretching as far south as Alabama, Georgia and the Florida Panhandle. Meteorologists anticipate the storm’s major impacts to subside by Wednesday, the weather service said.
Meanwhile in the Northeast, more than 90,000 households were still without power after a storm dumped more than 20 inches of snow in some areas over the weekend, according to a database maintained by USA TODAY.