OMAHA, Neb. — On Wednesday, a new storm system impacted millions in the central U.S., causing blizzard conditions in parts of the Midwest and Great Plains, and creating the potential for strong winds and wildfires in a wide area of adjacent states.
National Weather Service meteorologist Bryan Jackson reported that approximately 72 million people were under a wind advisory or warning, with wind gusts exceeding 45 mph (72 kph).
Jackson explained that the convergence of lingering cold air from the north and warm air from the south during this period typically results in powerful, low-pressure systems. He noted that this recent weather event marked the third rapidly developing storm system in recent weeks to bring high winds to a large portion of the U.S., describing it as a “very active pattern” since February.
At least 42 fatalities occurred over the weekend when severe storms spawned tornadoes, blinding dust, and wildfires, which uprooted trees and leveled hundreds of homes and businesses across eight states in the South and Midwest.
Snow for some
A zone stretching from southwestern Kansas to central Wisconsin was predicted to receive snowfall ranging from 2 inches (5 centimeters) to as much as a foot (30 centimeters). Forecasters cautioned about the possibility of whiteout conditions due to the combination of heavy snow and strong winds.
The Kansas Department of Transportation temporarily closed over 250 miles (400 kilometers) of Interstate 70, from the Colorado border eastward to Salina, Kansas. However, nearly all sections were reopened by Wednesday night as road conditions improved.
The initial segment of I-70 to be closed in western Kansas was also affected by high winds the previous week, which led to an accident involving 71 cars and trucks and resulted in eight deaths.
The state patrol reported via Facebook that blizzard conditions early Wednesday led to near-zero visibility in south-central Nebraska, urging people to avoid travel. There were closures affecting more than 160 miles (255 kilometers) of I-80 from Lincoln to Lexington, and almost 70 miles (115 kilometers) of I-29 along the Nebraska-Iowa border. The chaos was exacerbated by stalled vehicles, jackknifed semi-trailers, accidents, and downed power lines.
According to the National Weather Service, snowfall rates exceeded one inch per hour around the Iowa-Illinois border, with gusts reaching as high as 30 mph (48 kph).
Heavy snow and strong winds caused tree branches to break and utility poles to snap. Power outages affected more than 140,000 customers in Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Indiana, according to .
Many experienced a dramatic shift in weather, going from spring-like conditions on Tuesday with temperatures exceeding 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 Celsius) in some areas to the storm.
High winds and risk of fires
Outside of the areas experiencing snowfall, strong winds persisted. The combination of wind gusts and dry conditions, extending from Texas and Oklahoma through Arkansas and central Missouri, elevated the potential for wildfires.
Jackson stated that “Before plants are growing, there’s a lot of dry fuel out there.”
The fire risk intensified on Tuesday and remained elevated on Wednesday, with a renewed threat in parts of Oklahoma that were still recovering from a series of fires that began on Friday. Officials reported that over 400 homes were severely damaged or destroyed, and at least four people died as a result of the fires or high winds.
The Texas A&M Forest Service reported responding to 14 new wildfires on Tuesday, which burned approximately 29 square miles (75 square kilometers) across Texas.
The agency responded to a fire covering approximately 3 square miles (8 square kilometers) the following day in San Jacinto County, with only a small portion contained.
One fire near Borger, located in the state’s panhandle, caused power outages, led to evacuations, and threatened more than 1,000 homes late Tuesday, according to a statement from the city via Facebook.
The city stated that “Through quick response and collaborative effort from many departments around our region, the fire remained outside of the City limits, and we did not lose any of those 1201 homes.”
As of Wednesday night, the fire, which initially covered 350 acres (140 hectares), had expanded to an estimated 500 acres (200 hectares) and was 75% contained, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
Crews also responded to numerous fires in Arkansas, where winds presented an additional challenge. Fire Chief Delphone Hubbard stated during a news briefing that four homes in Little Rock sustained significant damage in the southwest part of the city, but there were no reported fatalities or injuries.
Mayor Frank Scott urged residents to comply with a burn ban in Pulaski County, stating, “Please do not do anything reckless or careless, because it could create a loss of life.”
A portion of I-530 southeast of Little Rock was temporarily closed due to smoke from a grass fire, but traffic resumed by the evening.
The National Weather Service reported that the central part of the state experienced wind gusts as high as 59 mph (95 kph).
In New Mexico, where massive dust storms forced highway closures and resulted in power outages on Tuesday, forecasters warned of the return of critical fire weather conditions on Thursday.
Tornadoes possible
Central Illinois faced the possibility of severe thunderstorms, bringing risks of hail, strong winds, and tornadoes. A large portion of Illinois and Indiana were under a slight risk advisory, with the risk decreasing further south through the Tennessee Valley.
The National Weather Service reported that severe storms brought strong winds to Indiana, and parts of the state were threatened by hail and tornadoes.
Looking eastward
Jackson indicated that the storm would push a cold front across the Eastern Seaboard on Thursday, potentially bringing heavy snowfall to higher elevations in New England.
—Fingerhut reported from Des Moines, Iowa. Associated Press writers John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas, Andrew DeMillo in Little Rock, Arkansas, and Hallie Golden in Seattle contributed.