Trio of storms threatens nearly every weather hazard, including ‘life-threatening’ debris flows in LA fire burn areas – CNN
Source: CNN
Editor’s Note: This story is no longer being updated. Read our latest story for news on all of the winter storms.
As California prepares for heavy rain in areas recently burned by wildfires, the first of three storms expected in the US this week impacted communities from the Ohio Valley east to New Jersey.
Rain, snow and sleet fell across a 1,500-mile stretch of the eastern US Tuesday, with more than a foot of snow recorded across parts of the Appalachians in Virginia and West Virginia.
The second of back-to-back-to-back winter storms will hit some of the same areas in quick succession Wednesday and dump the most substantial snow of the season over Chicago. The third storm is the most serious flood threat Southern California has faced since January’s devastating wildfires.
Each is another link in a chain of disruptive storms unbroken since the start of February.
• Snowing in DC: Snow began in the mid-afternoon in the nation’s capital and continued overnight. Up to 6 inches of snow will pile up which could snarl travel during the afternoon and evening commute. As much snow as the past two winters combined has already fallen in Washington, DC, this winter.
• Snow is piling up: Snow fell from Kentucky to the Mid-Atlantic Tuesday afternoon. Widespread snow totals of 3 to 6 inches have already coated areas from central Kentucky to western Virginia. Around 1 to 3 inches has fallen farther east in Virginia. There’s more to come into Wednesday morning as the storm tracks east.
• Power outages and treacherous travel likely: Significant amounts of ice – more than 0.25 inches – are possible through Wednesday in parts of West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina. “Ice accumulations could make many roads treacherous and impassable,” the National Weather Service warned Tuesday. “The weight of ice on tree limbs and power lines could produce numerous outages.”
Tuesday’s storm is tracking farther south than either of last week’s and putting areas that avoided a wintry mess right in the thick of it.
Parts of Virginia recorded over a foot of snow, with Iron Gate recording 14.5 inches and Hollins seeing 13.8 inches. West Virginia’s Fairlea saw 13 inches, while Easton, Maryland, and Dover, Delaware, measured 8 and 7.5 inches, respectively.
Heavy snow piled quickly in some areas, including Washington, DC. As many as 1,100 additional workers traveling from North Carolina, Alabama, Kentucky and Ohio were requested by Appalachian Power to help as snow, ice and rain are expected to hit the area, the utility company said Tuesday.
“Ice accumulations over a quarter inch weigh down trees and electric lines, which can cause substantial utility problems,” the company said.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency, and the Virginia Department of Transportation urged residents to “stay off the roads.” There’s been at least 305 crashes reported statewide, with at least 24 of those crashes reporting injuries, according to state police.
The Virginia National Guard staged dozens of soldiers to aid with storm response. Portions of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, a key roadway that runs alongside the Potomac River, is closed because of the weather, the National Park Service said.
Reagan National Airport in Washington, DC, has logged 5.9 inches of snow, contributing to its snowiest season in years, with 14.3 inches so far — more than the last two winters combined. The storm disrupted travel, causing 230 flight cancellations there on Tuesday and 96 more by early Wednesday.
Snow also blanketed parts of Pennsylvania into New Jersey and will affect southern New England Wednesday. New York City will likely see an inch or two of snow.
Montgomery County Public Schools, Maryland’s largest school district, will be closed Wednesday the district announced, citing “forecasts predicting up to six inches of accumulation.” Several school districts in Virginia are also closed Wednesday.
Heavy rain is drenching an area to the south on the warmer side of the storm. There’s a risk of flooding over a wide area of the South through Wednesday. A level 2 of 4 risk is in place for parts of every state from Texas to the Carolinas — including many areas still recovering from Hurricane Helene — during this time, according to the Weather Prediction Center.
The next storm will form in the central US while its predecessor is still bringing snow and ice to the East and rain to the South. Snow, ice and rain are expected in the Plains into Wednesday morning.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly issued a state of disaster emergency proclamation on Sunday due to the storm.
The wintry mess will quickly expand Wednesda
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