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Jan. 4 (UPI) -- The heaviest snowfall in a decade is on its way to Kansas and Missouri, part of a major winter storm stretching 1,300 miles across the central United States that is set to impact up to 62 million, forecasters said Saturday. The storm could cause heavy snowfall amounts, dangerous icy conditions, rain, high winds and severe thunderstorms across the storm track stretching from east of the Rocky Mountains through the Mid-Atlantic region.
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The storm will batter millions of people, causing rough travel conditions and potential power outages. As of mid-day Saturday, there were weather alerts issued in 32 states. including advisories, watches or warnings.
In a late afternoon update, the National Weather Service warned that "whiteout" blizzard conditions dumping up to 15 inches of snow -- the heaviest snowfall in a decade -- were in store for portions of Kansas and Missouri on Sunday.
Travel in those areas will be "extremely hazardous" with "impassible roads" making for a likelihood of drivers becoming stranded, the forecasters said.
Meanwhile, a wide band of snowfall measuring between 8 inches and 14 inches would stretch from northeast Missouri through the Central Appalachians. South of that, a "major stripe" of freezing rain running eastwards from central Kansas will coat roads with ice and cause "long-lasting" power outages.
The icy conditions are expected to move into the central Appalachian Mountains overnight Sunday.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin have each declared a state of emergency.
The NWS said heavy snowfall could impact some locales north, especially those located north of Interstate 70 in the northern High Plains and Central Plains.
The NWS in Topeka on X.com urged people to "please stay home. Reports of icy roads/accidents across Kansas continue to rapidly increase. Surfaces are becoming extremely slick - roadways, porches, stairs, etc. Falls could result in needing help. This is just the ice folks, the snow is yet to come."
Kansas City International Airport closed Saturday afternoon because of rapid ice accumulation as the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs were unable to depart for Denver for Sunday's game against the Broncos.
In an update issued at 5:22 p.m. CST, airport officials said crews had "successfully treated airfield surfaces and the runways and taxiways," enabling flight operations to resume.
"Work will continue overnight to keep the airfield clear," they said.
Heavy snow is expected from the Central Plains to the Ohio Valley on Sunday and heavy lake-effect snow along the windward areas near Lake Ontario on Saturday.
Wind gusts up to 35 mph combined with heavy snow could create blizzard conditions over the Central Plains.
A low pressure system over the southern High Plains on Saturday will move eastward into the Ohio Valley by Monday and disrupt local travel with winter weather from Saturday through Monday.
Parts of the lower Mississippi Valley could see severe Thunderstorms on Sunday.
The northern Mid-Atlantic also could see moderate to heavy snowfall developing overnight Sunday into Monday.
The storm front will move into the lower Mississippi Valley on Sunday and raise the likelihood of severe thunderstorms through Monday morning.
Cold air will move over the Great Lakes and into the Northeast, causing moderate to heavy lake-effect snow in the Great Lakes and along up-slope areas in the central Appalachians on Saturday and Sunday.
Highs will be from single digits and teens in the Plains and Midwest, with 20s to 30s forecast for the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, NBC News reported.
Overnight lows will dip as low as -20 degrees, with wind chill values around -40 degrees in the northern Plains.
