A massive winter storm has wreaked havoc across the nation's midsection, bringing heavy snowfall and gusty winds that have caused whiteout conditions and prompted the closure of schools and government offices in several states. The storm has affected a wide area, stretching from southeastern Colorado to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, including western Kansas, eastern Nebraska, large parts of Iowa, northern Missouri, and northwestern Illinois.

According to Bob Oravec, a forecaster with the National Weather Service, up to 20 to 30 centimeters (12 inches) of snow could blanket this broad area. On Monday, Athol, Kansas, saw nearly 8 inches (19 centimeters) of snowfall, and more is expected overnight, with the possibility of 3-5 additional inches (8-13 centimeters) and winds gusting as high as 40 mph (64 kph).

The treacherous conditions have led to the closure of major interstate highways. In central Nebraska, a long stretch of Interstate 80 was closed due to whiteout conditions. Kansas also closed Interstate 70 from Russell to the Colorado border. Several vehicles slid off I-70 in northeastern Kansas.

The storm has also caused disruptions in various cities and towns. In Nebraska, federal courts in Omaha and Lincoln closed on Monday, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers increased water flow at a Missouri River dam to prevent ice jams. Dubuque, Iowa, closed its city offices, and schools in Cedar Rapids were among those closing. The weather has even impacted political campaigns, forcing former President Donald Trump's campaign to cancel multiple appearances in Iowa.

As the storm moves eastward, parts of northern Missouri are bracing for up to a foot of snow. Kansas City, Missouri, has closed City Hall, and municipal courts will operate remotely. Madison, Wisconsin, is under a winter storm warning with the potential for 23 centimeters (9 inches) of snow and 64 kph (40 mph) winds. Northwestern Illinois is also under a winter storm warning with forecasts calling for 18 to 30 centimeters (7 to 12 inches) of snow. The Chicago area and Gary, Indiana, are under winter storm advisories.

The storm's impact extends as far south as the Oklahoma panhandle, where citizens have been advised to stay home due to blizzard conditions and near-zero visibility. Motorists have been stranded in Cimmaron County, with whipping winds and blizzard conditions making travel extremely dangerous.

Meanwhile, in the South, a separate storm system has brought strong thunderstorms and tornado warnings. The storm has caused significant damage, including roofs blown off homes and furniture tossed about. Radar-confirmed tornadoes have been reported in parts of Alabama, Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle. Wind gusts of up to 106 mph (171 kph) were recorded in Walton County, Florida. Multiple reports of tornadoes on the ground have been received in Bay County, where residents have been urged to stay indoors and off the roads. Power outages have affected more than 140,000 customers in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia.

The storm is expected to head east, bringing a mix of snow, rain, and strong winds to the Northeast by Tuesday night. There are concerns about flooding in areas such as New England, which received over a foot of snow on Sunday.

Overall, this massive winter storm has caused widespread disruption and danger across the nation's midsection and southern regions. Residents are advised to stay home and take precautions to ensure their safety.