Millions of Americans are bracing for the first superstorm of 2025, which is expected to bring heavy snowfall, freezing rain and record-breaking cold across the country, USA Today reported.
This is forecast to be the worst winter storm in more than a decade, with impacts spreading across more than 12 states.
Starting in the Midwest on the evening of January 4 (local time), this super storm will move through the Ohio Valley on January 5 before reaching the Mid-Atlantic early next week.
In northeastern Kansas and northern Missouri, more than 15 inches (38 cm) of snow could fall. "This will be the heaviest snowfall in more than 10 years for many areas," according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
Snowstorms are forecast for the Midwest, making travel dangerous, even impossible, or risk getting stuck.
Blizzard warnings have been issued for 32 million people from Kansas to Virginia.
Winter weather warnings are in effect for 14 million people in Montana, the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado and other states.
Eleven million people, mainly in Maryland, Delaware and the Mid-Atlantic, were under a blizzard watch.
Many areas, from eastern Kansas to the Ohio Valley, could see ice, causing widespread power outages and downed trees.
The weather service advised people to avoid unnecessary travel, especially in the hardest-hit areas such as the Midwest and Ohio Valley.
Wind gusts in excess of 35 mph combined with heavy snowfall will create severe blizzard conditions. Meanwhile, from eastern Kansas to the Ozarks, more than 0.6 cm of ice is forecast to accumulate, increasing the risk of accidents and prolonged power outages.
After the storm passes, extreme cold will grip much of the region from the Rockies to the eastern United States. Temperatures are expected to fall well below average, with many places dipping below zero at night.
"The bitter cold will persist through next week," the Weather Service in St. Louis, Missouri, said.
Power outages during severe cold weather can create dangerous situations, especially as millions of people face record-breaking temperatures.
