A major winter storm is poised to bring heavy snow, ice, and freezing rain to the Southern United States, a region rarely experiencing such severe winter conditions, The Associated Press reports.
The storm, stretching from Texas to north Florida, prompted residents to rush to prepare for the hazardous weather, while an Arctic air mass is causing extreme cold temperatures across much of the country.
Southern States Brace for Impact
The National Weather Service reports that around 40 million people across the Southern US are under weather hazards, with over 21 million under winter storm warnings. Governors in Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama have declared states of emergency, and many school systems have canceled classes for Tuesday. Winter storm warnings are in effect for Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida panhandle. The storm is expected to bring heavy snow along and north of the Interstate 10 corridor, with sleet and freezing rain impacting south Texas, southeast Georgia, and northern Florida. Forecasters warn of sub-freezing temperatures threatening vegetation and plumbing.
Authorities are urging residents to stay home and avoid non-essential travel, warning of dangerous road conditions due to ice accumulation. Warming centers are being readied to help vulnerable populations. Power outages are a concern in areas with significant snow and ice.
Travel Disrupted, Flights Canceled
The unusual winter blast has already caused significant travel disruptions. Both Houston airports announced flight operations will be suspended starting Tuesday. Across the country, FlightAware reported over 570 flight cancellations and more than 5,800 delays as of Monday afternoon.
Arctic Air Mass Grips the Nation
Simultaneously, an Arctic air mass has pushed temperatures well below normal across the US. Approximately 170 million people from the Rockies to the East Coast are under extreme cold warnings or advisories. The East Coast is experiencing some of the coldest temperatures of the winter.
The intense cold even led to an unusual move at the Presidential Inauguration, with Donald Trump taking the oath of office indoors in the Capitol Rotunda, rather than the traditional outdoor event.
The Northern Plains will experience dangerously cold temperatures, forecast to drop as low as minus 55 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 48 degrees Celsius), with sub-zero wind chills expected as far south as Oklahoma and the Tennessee Valley. Cold weather advisories have been issued across the Great Lakes region, with high temperatures in many places only expected to reach the single digits or teens. Chicago’s high on Monday was expected to be 10 F (minus 12 C).
Polar Vortex Disruption
This extreme cold snap is attributed to a disruption in the polar vortex, the ring of cold air usually trapped above the North Pole. In Houston, temperatures are forecast to dip low enough for water in pipes to freeze, expand, and potentially burst.
Southern California Hit with Winds
While much of the country deals with extreme cold, Southern California is facing a return of strong Santa Ana winds, with gusts between 70 and 90 mph, threatening areas recently ravaged by wildfires. However, a small amount of rain in the weekend forecast offers some hope.
