First Ice Storm in Years to Impact Midwest, Northeast; More Winter Storms Ahead

First Ice Storm in Years to Impact Midwest, Northeast; More Winter Storms Ahead

The first half of February is set to be stormy, starting with a major storm moving from the Mississippi Valley to the East Coast, bringing risks of severe thunderstorms and widespread icing.

By Bill Deger, Senior Meteorologist at AccuWeather
Published: Feb 2, 2025 | Updated: Feb 5, 2025

An ice storm will cause hazardous travel conditions across the Midwest from Wednesday to Thursday morning.

After a relatively calm and mild start to the week for much of the eastern U.S., a large and complex storm system is expected to develop mid-week, bringing a range of impacts.

"Warm, humid air clashing with cold Arctic air will create a mix of severe thunderstorms, dangerous ice storms, and accumulating snow between Wednesday and Thursday," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham.

This storm marks the beginning of what could be one of the stormiest periods of the winter, affecting regions from the Plains to the East Coast. It could also validate Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction of six more weeks of winter.

Storm Risks Begin Wednesday

As the storm begins to take shape on Tuesday night into Wednesday, it will bring an icy mix on its cold side and severe thunderstorms on its warm side, according to AccuWeather experts.

“Record-breaking warmth moving into the Tennessee and Ohio River Valleys will help fuel widespread thunderstorms starting Wednesday,” Buckingham said. “Some of these storms are expected to become severe.”

Thunderstorms will begin in the western Tennessee Valley on Wednesday afternoon, moving east overnight. The primary threats will be hail and wind gusts exceeding 50 mph.

On the colder side of the storm, an icy mix will create dangerous travel conditions for major cities like Chicago, Detroit, and Minneapolis. Snow is expected to spread from Montana through the Great Lakes, with 1-3 inches of snow in cities such as Bismarck, North Dakota, and Green Bay, Wisconsin.

To the south, ice is expected to be the bigger concern.

"As the warm air clashes with colder air to the north, a major ice storm is anticipated to develop by Wednesday, affecting the Midwest and Great Lakes," warned Buckingham.

This could lead to significant icing of up to 0.25 inches or more, particularly along and between Interstates 70 and 80 in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. This will create dangerous travel conditions due to freezing rain.

Major Ice Accumulation Expected in Mid-Atlantic Thursday

The impacts of icing won’t be confined to the Midwest — they will spread into the Appalachians, mid-Atlantic, and Northeast later in the week.

“There is potential for dangerous ice accumulation through Thursday,” Buckingham added, which could cause tree damage and power outages.

The central Appalachians, Pennsylvania, and southern New York are most at risk, where ice buildup could reach up to half an inch, leading to power outages and treacherous travel conditions. Cities such as Cumberland, Maryland; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Scranton, Pennsylvania, are among those expected to face hazardous conditions.

A larger area, including the I-95 corridor from Washington, D.C., to Boston, will experience lighter icing, with major cities like New York City and Philadelphia expected to transition to rain. However, snow is expected farther north in New England, with 1-3 inches of snow forecast for northern areas and up to half a foot in higher elevations.

Even small amounts of ice can create slippery travel, especially on untreated surfaces. These conditions could overlap with the Thursday morning commute, leading to school delays or closures.

Cold Winds and Potential Follow-up Storms

Following the storm, gusty, cold winds will affect the Midwest and Northeast from Thursday to Friday, bringing additional hazards. Wind gusts of 40-50 mph are expected across the Great Lakes on Thursday, moving into the Northeast by Friday, with gusts of 30+ mph along the I-95 corridor.

AccuWeather meteorologists have been predicting a stormy February, and this storm seems to be the beginning. “We are tracking three potential storms from February 5-11,” said AccuWeather’s Paul Pastelok.

Following this week's storm, another system will move in Friday through the weekend, with potential for snow, ice, and thunderstorms. Many of the same areas affected by this week's storm may experience additional disruptions to travel.

A third storm is possible early next week, bringing more snow and ice across a larger area.

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