Massive winter storm moving east across U.S.
A massive winter storm was moving east across the U.S. on Wednesday, causing blizzard conditions in North Dakota and snowy highways in Colorado and Kansas. More than 20 states from the Rocky Mountains to New England — and as far south as Texas — were under winter storm warnings, watches or both.
By Wednesday nightt, much of Chicago had already seen over 5 inches of snow, with some areas getting at least a foot as the snowfall was expected to continue, CBS Chicago reports.
In the South, the big concern is ice. In Texas, officials hope to avoid a repeat of last year's devastating power outages.
"Last year, we lost power in this neighborhood for three days," Cindy Harty of McKinney told CBS Dallas-Fort Worth.
This storm isn't forecast to be as severe, but Texas Governor Greg Abbott said the state's power grid was ready.
The storm was changing travel plans for many, with nearly 8,000 flights canceled for Wednesday and Thursday, according to FlightAware. Southwest Airlines announced it's suspending most of its operations at its Dallas hub Thursday.
Forecasters said the storm will keep pushing east through the week, bringing more snow and ice to New York and Boston, which were just hit by a nor'easter.
Thousands without power in Oklahoma
Oklahoma Gas and Electric said that thousands of customers are without power due to the storm, CBS affiliate KWTV-TV reports. The vast majority of those who lost power live in Yukon, the station reports.
Dallas' backup generators won't be ready in time for storm
After last winter's storm that knocked out power for millions of Texans for several days, the city of Dallas approved a total expense of $2 million for eight fixed generators at select libraries and rec centers and an additional eight mobile power units with generators and heating systems that could be deployed where needed, CBS Dallas-Fort Worth reports.
"Unfortunately, they will not be ready for this winter," said Dallas' Director of Emergency Management Rocky Vaz. Last month, Vaz told the Council that although the generators have arrived, it will take six to eight months to install them.
Read more here.
Chicago zoo posts photos of animals enjoying the snow
The Brookfield Zoo in Chicago posted several photos of animals enjoying the heavy snowfall.
This year's #GroundhogDay prediction is six more weeks of winter! Is your reaction anything like Whirl's? 🐯https://t.co/0pbFNBE64W pic.twitter.com/LQiXXgPPvo
— Brookfield Zoo (@brookfield_zoo) February 2, 2022
Read more here.
More than 110 million Americans in path of dangerous winter storm
Purdue University cancels in-person classes and meetings
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, has canceled all in-person classes and meetings for Thursday due to the storm. The university also said that "all nonessential personnel should work remotely if possible."
The area is expecting 12-18 inches of snow Wednesday and Thursday, according to CBS affiliate WFLI-TV.
Chicago's south suburbs, northwest Indiana getting more than 10 inches of snow
The south suburbs of Chicago and parts of northwest Indiana have already gotten up to 10 inches of snow, with the total to increase as the snowfall continues, CBS Chicago reports.
About 35 miles southeast of Chicago in Schererville, Indiana, 7 inches of snow have been recorded so far.
United cancels over 600 flights for Thursday
United Airlines as of 3 p.m. has already preemptively canceled over 600 flights for Thursday. The airline is providing weather-related travel waivers for customers flying into and out of the Northeast, Midwest and the Rocky Mountain regions.
Kentucky official warns of "epic event"
Kentuckians have been warned between one-quarter and three-quarters of an inch of ice could fall in parts of the state Thursday.
"Folks, this is going to be an epic event," Emergency Management Director Michael Dossett said during a briefing Wednesday.
With temperatures forecast to fall quickly, Dossett said the ice was expected to stick to roadways as well as power lines, potentially causing outages.
Governor Andy Beshear said roads can't be treated with brine and rock salt ahead of the storm because rain was expected to wash it away.
Beshear declared a state of emergency and announced state offices would be closed Thursday.
Over 4,000 flights canceled
More than 2,000 U.S. flights scheduled for Wednesday have been canceled, according to FlightAware.
The flight-tracking service also said over 2,400 flights scheduled for Thursday have already been canceled.
Images show snowy conditions on Missouri highway
Missouri's Transportation Department posted pictures to Twitter showing a long line of tractor-trailers and other vehicles on a snowy stretch of Interstate 70 in Columbia.
🚨i-70 ALERT - 2/2/22, 11AM🚨
— MoDOT Central District (@MoDOT_Central) February 2, 2022
All westbound lanes are closed at mile marker 124 (west of Stadium Boulevard) in Columbia, due to a crash. Avoid the area, as the road could be closed for some time. #mowx #midmowx #BUPD pic.twitter.com/r36GwK02yr
Westbound lanes were closed in the area Wednesday morning after a crash, the agency said.
One lane was opened in the afternoon.
One westbound lane has been opened, and traffic is SLOWLY moving through that area. pic.twitter.com/XVbVf0YgEM
— MoDOT Central District (@MoDOT_Central) February 2, 2022
Over a foot of snow expected in at least 4 states
More than a foot of snow was expected in parts of central Missouri and Michigan, and up to a foot of snow could fall Wednesday and Thursday in central and northeastern Illinois. Twelve to 18 inches of snow is possible in areas of northern Indiana, said Andrew Orrison, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in College Park, Maryland.
"For a lot of areas, we are going to be looking at significant amounts of snowfall and also ice," he said.
Several inches of snow dumped in Chicago area
Much of the Chicago area has already seen 5 or more inches of snow with some spots getting more than 9 inches as of mid-morning Wednesday, CBS Chicago reports. Heavy snowfall was expected to add to those totals throughout the day.
Punxsutawney Phil predicts 6 more weeks of winter
Pennsylvania's most famous groundhog emerged from his burrow and saw his shadow, declaring there would be six more weeks of winter.