Winter Storm Hits US, Blanketing Region in Snow and Ice
AFP/APP
Washington: A major winter storm system has covered a large portion of the central and eastern United States in snow and ice, causing significant disruptions to travel and contributing to at least five fatalities. By Monday night, the storm was moving offshore, according to forecasters.
Over 2,300 flights were canceled on Monday alone, with thousands more delayed, adding to travel headaches from the previous day, as reported by flight tracking website FlightAware.
Additionally, nearly 200,000 customers in states from Missouri to Virginia remained without power due to the storm’s effects, as frigid temperatures settled in.
The National Weather Service (NWS) indicated that while the storm would move eastward into the western Atlantic by night, small snow accumulations could persist in mountainous and Mid-Atlantic regions.
Frigid temperatures were expected to follow, with wind chills dipping below zero degrees Fahrenheit (-17°C) in cities like Kansas City and the Gulf Coast experiencing unusually cold weather.
In Washington, despite several inches of snow, Congress continued its session to certify Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss, four years after his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol.
President Joe Biden was monitoring the situation and prepared to assist affected states. In the capital, residents took to the streets for a snow day, with many participating in mass snowball fights or enjoying winter sports.
The storm led to dangerous travel conditions, including blizzard conditions in Kansas and Missouri, and icy roads in Kentucky.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported two fatalities from weather-related accidents, and Kansas saw two deaths, including one from a collision involving an out-of-control tractor trailer. Video footage from Kansas showed cars skidding off ice-coated highways.
Along the Great Lakes and in New York, chilly winds and lake-effect snow created hazardous conditions. The Appalachian region, still recovering from a deadly hurricane in September, faced additional challenges from the storm.
Scientists warn that extreme weather events, like this winter storm, are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change.
As the storm continued its eastward path, officials from several states, including Kentucky, Missouri, Virginia, and Maryland, declared states of emergency, urging residents to stay home while emergency teams worked to clear the roads.
Looking ahead, forecasters warned of another storm system on the horizon later this week, potentially bringing a major snowstorm to Texas.
Governor Greg Abbott has activated state emergency resources in preparation for the severe winter weather, which could bring significant snow accumulations to the Dallas metro area. Another major snowstorm could develop in the Mid-Atlantic region by the weekend, though the exact details remain uncertain.
Meanwhile, in southern California, areas were placed under warnings for extreme winds and low humidity, raising concerns over fast-spreading wildfires.
The California Office of Emergency Services has pre-positioned fire engines, helicopters, and crews ahead of the expected gusts, which could reach speeds of up to 100 mph (160 km/h).
