What is the scale of the winter weather emergency currently affecting the United States?

The winter weather emergency is currently affecting 59 million people who remain under winter alerts spanning from Nebraska to North Carolina. The severe storm system is bringing heavy snow to multiple states, particularly impacting Kentucky. Officials are warning travelers about potential travel disruptions, noting that delays and cancellations could persist for days as the weather system moves through these regions. The widespread nature of these winter alerts indicates a significant weather event affecting a large portion of the eastern United States.