A powerful winter storm swept across large parts of the central and eastern United States, bringing snow, ice, and freezing temperatures, while causing significant disruptions and at least five fatalities. The system, the first major winter storm of the year, was moving offshore Monday night, according to forecasters.
Travel Chaos
The storm wreaked havoc on air travel, with over 2,300 flights canceled and thousands more delayed on Monday, as reported by tracking site FlightAware. This added to similar disruptions from the previous day, leaving travelers stranded across the nation.
Meanwhile, nearly 200,000 customers from Missouri to Virginia were left without power, according to Poweroutage.us, as the storm ushered in dangerously low temperatures.
Frigid Temperatures Follow Storm
The National Weather Service (NWS) stated that while the storm was exiting into the western Atlantic, minor snowfall accumulations could still affect parts of the Mid-Atlantic and mountainous regions.
In the storm’s wake, frigid conditions were expected to linger. Cities like Kansas City braced for wind chills below zero Fahrenheit (-17°C), while parts of the Gulf Coast faced temperatures tens of degrees below seasonal averages.
Washington Embraces Snow Day
In Washington, DC, several inches of snow didn’t deter Congress from certifying Donald Trump’s election victory, marking four years since the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.
Federal offices and schools were closed, allowing residents to enjoy the rare snowfall, including a large snowball fight.
Nikki White, a resident skiing through the city streets, remarked, “I probably get to do it once a year in DC because it doesn’t snow that much. But I love it.”
Tragic Consequences
As the storm moved eastward, it caused blizzard conditions in Kansas and Missouri, with dangerous ice storms in Kentucky.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported two weather-related fatalities and over 1,000 stranded motorists by late Sunday. In Kansas, three more lives were lost due to icy highway conditions, including a collision with a tractor trailer.
Footage from the region showed vehicles skidding off icy roads and trucks jackknifing, highlighting the storm’s treacherous impact.
Future Storms Loom
Forecasters are already warning of more winter weather ahead. Texas, which rarely sees significant snowfall, may experience a major snowstorm later in the week, potentially bringing several inches of snow to the Dallas area. Governor Greg Abbott has activated emergency resources in preparation.
Additionally, another storm system could develop in the Mid-Atlantic by the weekend, though models remain uncertain.
Extreme Weather Across the US
While the east battled snow, southern California faced extreme winds and low humidity, heightening wildfire risks. Gusts of up to 100 mph (160 kph) were expected, prompting the pre-positioning of firefighting resources.
Climate and Weather Trends
Experts point to the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events as evidence of the impacts of human-induced climate change. This storm, alongside others forecasted this winter, underscores the challenges of a warming climate.
Reference news :- Winter storm leaves large US region blanketed in snow, ice
