Snowstorm across Midwest and Northern Plains bring blizzard conditions, power outages and travel chaos

Martha McHardy
·11 min read

A powerful winter storm is currently hammering the Midwest US and Northern Plains, bringing blizzard conditions, power outages and travel chaos to multiple states.

The National Weather Service has issued blizzard warnings from northern Colorado and Kansas through to parts of Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota on Monday, with between two and ten inches of snow expected to fall in some areas.

“Snow may accumulate at 1 to 2 inches per hour in heavier bands,” the weather service said.

The agency also warned that travel could be “near impossible at times” in affected areas, with winds of over 50 miles per hour expected to hit.

Strong winds could also cause widespread power outages, with falling trees hitting power lines.

It comes after a storm dumped more than two feet of snow on areas including Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont last week. Following last week’s storm, around 160,000 homes and businesses were still without power across the Northeast as of late Sunday night, according to PowerOutage.us.

Key points

  • Blizzard warnings in effect in several states, with between two and ten inches of snow expected to fall

  • Winter storm in Maine leaves 120,000 without power

  • Winds of over 50 miles per hour expected, causing power outages and travel chaos

16 states currently under winter weather alerts

Monday 25 March 2024 17:22 , Michelle Del Rey

According to the National Weather Service, 16 states are currently under winter eater alerts. Some parts of the country are expected to get several inches of snow while others will be pummeled with rain.

Large tree crushes car on Fifth Avenue amid heavy rainfall in NY

Monday 25 March 2024 18:30 , Michelle Del Rey

A giant tree fell on Fifth Avenue on Saturday, crushing a car amid heavy rainfall in New York.

More than 3.5 inches of rain fell in Central Park over the weekend, causing motorists to become trapped on flooded roads.

At least one car was crushed by a falling tree not far from the park, on Fifth Avenue, while three other cars were damaged.

The tree crunched the roof of a red sedan on Saturday night after it fell across the length of Fifth Avenue between East 94th Street to East 93rd Street. The roadway had to be closed for most of the night.

The city’s Department of Parks & Recreation dispatched a crew to remove the tree.

NYC Emergency Management cautioned people to be on alert for the potential for black ice after overnight temperatures dipped below freezing.

“New Yorkers are advised to take caution when driving due to the increased risk of black ice on roadways across the city,” its X account posted.

Snowstorm across Midwest and Northern Plains bring blizzard conditions, power outages and travel chaos

Monday 25 March 2024 19:00 , Michelle Del Rey

A powerful winter storm is currently hammering the Midwest US and Northern Plains, bringing blizzard conditions, power outages and travel chaos to multiple states.

The National Weather Service has issued blizzard warnings from northern Colorado and Kansas through to parts of Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota on Monday, with between two and ten inches of snow expected to fall in some areas.

“Snow may accumulate at 1 to 2 inches per hour in heavier bands,” the weather service said.

The agency also warned that travel could be “near impossible at times” in affected areas, with winds of over 50 miles per hour expected to hit.

Strong winds could also cause widespread power outages, with falling trees hitting power lines.

It comes after a storm dumped more than two feet of snow on areas including Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont last week. Following last week’s storm, around 160,000 homes and businesses were still without power across the Northeast as of late Sunday night, according to PowerOutage.us.

Snow clings to the trees along a walking path at Como Lake in St. Paul, Minn., on Friday (AP)
Snow clings to the trees along a walking path at Como Lake in St. Paul, Minn., on Friday (AP)

Mapped: Powerful winter storm tracking through the US

Monday 25 March 2024 19:30 , Michelle Del Rey

A powerful winter storm is currently moving through the US Midwest and Northern Plains.

The National Weather Service said rain and snow will continue through Tuesday with, three to five inches of snow falling across west central and central Minnesota.

Snowfall is expected to taper off quickly to the south and east, the agency added,

Heading into Tuesday and Wednesday night, much of the US will see much cooler air. However, the NWS has warned this could lead to a flash freeze scenario after a couple of days.

(National Weather Service)
(National Weather Service)

Snowfall projections across the country

Monday 25 March 2024 20:20 , Michelle Del Rey

According to The Washington Post, here are some of the snowfall projections expected across the country this week:

  • Dupree, South Dakota.: 12 inches

  • Wausau, Wisconsin: 11 inches

  • Eau Claire, Wisconsin: 10 inches

  • Minnetonka, Minnesota: 7.4 inches

  • Bloomington, Minnesota: 7.5 inches

  • St. Cloud, Minnesota: 7.1 inches

  • Bismarck, North Dakota: 3.2 inches

See it: Horses wearing blankets of snow as storm moves across Montana

Monday 25 March 2024 21:41 , Michelle Del Rey

Winter storm pummels Midwest US with heavy snow and blizzard conditions

Monday 25 March 2024 22:14 , Michelle Del Rey

A powerful winter storm is expected to bring heavy snow and blizzard conditions in the Plains and Upper Midwest on Monday and Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

Read more below:

Winter storm pummels midwest US with heavy snow and blizzard conditions

Winds of over 50 miles per hour expected, causing power outages and travel chaos

Monday 25 March 2024 23:14 , Michelle Del Rey

Winds of over 50 miles per hour are expected to hit the Midwest US and Northern Plains through Monday and Tuesday, causing power outages and travel chaos.

“Heavy snow and gusty winds will produce areas of blowing and drifting snow and possible blizzard conditions Sunday into Monday,” the National Weather Service has warned.

Power outages are expected across the region, with heavy, wet snow and falling trees hitting power lines.

Strong winds and heavy snow may also cause travel chaos, the NWS added, warning that travel could be “near impossible at times” in affected areas.

Winter storm in Maine leaves 120,000 without power

00:14 , Michelle Del Rey

Hundreds of thousands of homes in Maine were left without power on Sunday night after a storm dumped more than two feet of snow on the state.

Around 120,000 homes and businesses were left without power in Maine on Sunday night, according to PowerOutage.us.

Central Maine said many power lines were grounded across the state after the storm blew through, with the utility company responding to more than 700 emergency calls on Sunday for issues including blocked roads and downed lines.

The company added that although it had restored power to more than 50 per cent of customers impacted by the storm as of Sunday night, restoration efforts in severely impacted coastal areas could last through Wednesday.

NWS: Midwest storm expected to bring ‘strong, gusty winds’ and ‘heavy snow’

01:14 , Michelle Del Rey

Aurora Borealis visible in parts of US after ‘rare’ space storm

02:14 , Michelle Del Rey

The Aurora Borealis was visible in parts of the US on Sunday night due to a rare geomagnetic storm.

A geomagnetic storm is a major disturbance to the Earth’s outer magnetic field most commonly caused by a strong surge of solar wind from the Sun known as a “coronal mass ejection,” according to the US Geological Survey.

The event meant the Northern Lights were visible in parts of he Pacific Northwest, Northern Plains, Great Lakes and interior Northeast on Sunday night.

Storms sweep the US from coast to coast causing frigid temps, power outages and traffic accidents

03:14 , Michelle Del Rey

Heavy rain and quarter-sized hail fell in Southern California Sunday as the National Weather Service predicted lightning and wind gusts approaching 60 mph (97 kph) in the mountain area earlier in the day.

The California storm was moving south from the Sierra Nevada, where areas around Lake Tahoe received about a foot (30 cm) of new snow and Mammoth Mountain reported up to 18 inches (45 cm) by Sunday morning. A day earlier, the resort was forced to close several ski lifts after a 91-mph (147-kph) wind gust was recorded.

A 35-year-old woman was rescued after being swept away in the storm-swollen Los Angeles River, the LA Fire Department said. She was airlifted to a hospital with minor injuries and hypothermia, the department said.

Read more:

Storms sweep the US from coast to coast causing frigid temps, power outages and traffic accidents

Hardy souls across New England shoveling out after major snow storm

04:14 , Michelle Del Rey

Hardy souls across New England were spending their Sunday shoveling out after a major storm dumped more than two feet of snow in some areas, causing multiple road accidents, downing power lines and leaving hundreds of thousands across the Northeast without electricity.

Road conditions were dangerous Saturday night for crews seeking to restore power, according to Central Maine Power, which said the company’s focus overnight was responding to emergency calls and making downed power lines safe.

As of daylight Sunday, crews began assessing and clearing damage to begin widespread power restoration efforts. The company said it anticipates a multi-day effort in areas hardest hit by the storm.

Read more:

Hardy souls across New England shoveling out after major snow storm

In pictures: Heavy rainfall hits NY

05:14 , Michelle Del Rey

People walk in the street during heavy rain in the Manhattan borough of New York on March 23 (AFP via Getty Images)
People walk in the street during heavy rain in the Manhattan borough of New York on March 23 (AFP via Getty Images)
A man crosses a street during heavy rain in the Manhattan borough of New York on March 23 (AFP via Getty Images)
A man crosses a street during heavy rain in the Manhattan borough of New York on March 23 (AFP via Getty Images)

National Weather Service predicts snow to fall at 6-12 inches from central Nebraska to northeastern Minnesota

06:14 , Michelle Del Rey

The area of the country spanning from central Nebraska to northeastern Minnesota is expected to get inches of snow this week, according to the National Weather Service. The agency is expected snow to fall at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour.

“Heavy snow and gusty winds approaching 50 mph will produce blizzard conditions with near zero visibility into early Tuesday,” the agency said in a news release. “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 Aurora Borealis potentially visible on Monday due to storms

07:14 , Michelle Del Rey

The Aurora Borealis will potentially be visible from the US, as far south as the Midwest. Observes wanting to catch a glimpse of the northern lights should find a dark place to look, such as a hill or beach that has an unobstructed view to the south. The best time to watch is between 10pm and 2am.

Snowfall expected to last until Wednesday

08:14 , Michelle Del Rey

Officials with the National Weather Service are predicting that the snowfall could last until Wednesday, according to an advisory released on Monday.

Heavy snow and gusty winds approaching 50mph will create blizzard conditions with near zero visibility into early Tuesday, the release noted, making travel almost impossible.

Areas of the Mississippi Valley and Gulf Coast will experience scattered rain showers and thunderstorms in addition to a cold front on Monday. In Texas, tornadoes and damaging winds are possible in the eastern side of the state through the Lower Mississippi Valley, according to the Storm Prediction Center.

Severe rain could turn into flooding in southern Missouri through Arkansas, Mississippi and west-central Alabama.

Watch: Storm moves across the US

10:14 , Michelle Del Rey

Snowfall reports from March 23 to 24

11:14 , Michelle Del Rey

Latest photos as heavy snow hits Midwest

12:14 , Michelle Del Rey

Children in winter coats line up to get into a school bus Thursday, March 21, 2024 in Bismarck, N.D (AP)
Children in winter coats line up to get into a school bus Thursday, March 21, 2024 in Bismarck, N.D (AP)
A woman sweeps the sidewalk of snow at the International Church Thursday, March 21, 2024 in Bismarck, N.D (AP)
A woman sweeps the sidewalk of snow at the International Church Thursday, March 21, 2024 in Bismarck, N.D (AP)
Snow clings to the trees along a walking path at Como Lake in St. Paul, Minn (AP)
Snow clings to the trees along a walking path at Como Lake in St. Paul, Minn (AP)

Watch: Graphic of storms

13:14 , Michelle Del Rey