The new 12 months is bringing extreme winter climate to many elements of the United States as Winter Storm Blair strikes throughout the nation.
Find out extra beneath.
How Severe Is Winter Storm Blair Expected to Be?
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued an announcement on Friday, warning that “journey of every kind will seemingly be very tough and intensely harmful” in areas anticipating heavy snow and/or important ice accumulation.
The NWS additionally cautioned that energy outages and tree injury are seemingly because of the buildup of ice.
AccuWeather’s lead long-range knowledgeable, Paul Pastelok, added, “This may find yourself being the coldest January since 2011 for the U.S. as a complete.”
Which States Have Winter Storm Warnings in Effect?
Fifteen states are presently underneath winter storm warnings, together with Kentucky, Indiana, Maryland, West Virginia, Kansas, Montana, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Alaska, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Nebraska.
The NWS experiences that areas stretching from central Kansas to Indiana face a 60% to 90% probability of receiving a minimum of eight inches of snow, with some areas—significantly Kansas and Missouri—doubtlessly seeing as much as 14 inches. In areas with the heaviest snowfall, the NWS warns that this may very well be the “worst snowfall in a minimum of a decade.”
How Can You Prepare for Winter Storm Blair?
Travelers are urged to maintain an emergency equipment of their autos, together with necessities like a flashlight, meals, and water. The National Weather Service (NWS) recommends suspending non-essential journey, but when it’s unavoidable, excessive warning is important. Drivers ought to be ready for sudden visibility adjustments, preserve a protected distance from different autos, and permit further time to succeed in their locations. It’s essential to keep away from sudden braking or acceleration, and take further care when navigating hills and turns. Ensuring autos are winterized and in good working situation is strongly suggested.
For areas with ice accumulation, the NWS suggests carrying a winter storm equipment, which ought to embody objects like tire chains, booster cables, a flashlight, a shovel, blankets, and additional clothes. They additionally advocate bringing water, a primary help equipment, and some other provides that would assist for those who get stranded.