Major power outage from the Midwest to the Northeast, more than 530 000 customers affected

A powerful winter storm knocked out power to more than 530 000 customers from the Midwest to the Northeast on Sunday, February 24 and Monday, February 25, 2019. As of early Monday, there are 537 318 customers without power, according to PowerOutage.US.

The storm produced strong winds, with wind gusts in excess of 106 km/h (66 mph), which downed trees and power lines. The winds damaged several homes and overturned a couple of semi-trucks.

This is the same storm that produced blizzard conditions in the Plains and severe weather in the South.

"The winds are sweeping eastward and will focus on the Northeast on Monday," AccuWeather Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski said. "Chicago, St. Louis, Detroit, Indianapolis and Pittsburgh are among the many communities in the Midwest that endured gusts of 80 – 106 km/h (50 to 66 mph)," Pydynowski said.

As of 12:00 UTC on February 25, there are 537 318 customers without power, according to PowerOutage.US – 143 961 in Pennsylvania, 125 054 in Ohio, 110 132 in Michigan, 79 284 in New York and 78 887 in West Virginia.

The storm is now slowly moving northeast and into Canada. Strong winds, with areas of lingering heavy snow will continue through impacting the Northern and Eastern U.S. on Monday, February 25 with some slow improvement. 

After trekking from the Southwest to Northeast, the low pressure system that has been discussed the past few days will exit the U.S. today, NWS forecaster Tate notes.

A tight pressure gradient and strong winds aloft will remain across the Northeast in its wake, so high winds will continue – widespread Wind Advisories and High Wind Warnings are in effect through Monday morning in the Southern/Central Appalachians, and in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast through the day on Monday.

Additionally, lake enhanced snow is expected across the Great Lakes region today, and combined with the strong winds, blizzard conditions are possible through Monday morning in the Upper Great Lakes and downwind of Lake Ontario all day.

Featured image credit: WGN