Gallery|WeatherAt least 10 people die, million without power as winter storm grips USAt least 20 states declare states of emergency as nearly a million people are without power due to snow and ice.
A severe winter storm moving across the United States has resulted in significant disruptions, including at least 10 fatalities, extensive flight cancellations, and widespread power outages. Freezing conditions are expected to persist into Monday,…
A severe winter storm moving across the United States has resulted in significant disruptions, including at least 10 fatalities, extensive flight cancellations, and widespread power outages. Freezing conditions are expected to persist into Monday, affecting daily life across multiple states.
Emergency Declarations and Power Outages
States of emergency have been declared in at least 20 states, including the US capital, Washington, DC. Nearly one million residents are experiencing power outages, primarily in the southern regions where the storm was most intense over the weekend.
The PowerOutage.com tracking site reported over 840,000 customers without electricity as of Sunday night. Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Georgia are among the most affected areas, with significant outages reported.
The storm has brought snow, sleet, and freezing rain, with an Arctic air mass expected to maintain dangerously low temperatures for several days. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued warnings for continued severe conditions into Monday morning. Residents are advised to stay indoors due to hazardous travel conditions.
Freezing conditions are expected to persist into Monday, affecting daily life across multiple states.
Major airports in New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC, have cancelled nearly all flights. Authorities warn of life-threatening cold, particularly in the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest, with wind chill temperatures forecasted to reach -45 degrees Celsius (-50 degrees Fahrenheit).
The storm is linked to a polar vortex, a region of cold, low-pressure air from the Arctic. Occasionally, this vortex elongates, causing frigid air to spread across North America. While some scientists suggest an increasing frequency of such events may be connected to climate change, the debate continues, considering natural variability as a factor.
The NWS has cautioned about heavy ice causing prolonged power outages, extensive tree damage, and dangerous travel conditions, particularly in states unaccustomed to severe winter weather.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.