Historic Snowstorm Affects Over 60 Million Across the U.S.
A decade-defining snowstorm blankets the U.S., disrupting travel and daily life for over 60 million people. From icy highways to plunging temperatures, Americans face life-threatening conditions as the Polar Vortex moves south.
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Historic Snowstorm Affects Over 60 Million Across the U.S.
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A record-breaking snowstorm, the heaviest in the last decade, is sweeping across the eastern and central United States. From Washington, D.C., to New York City, over 60 million residents are bracing for extreme weather conditions as snow, ice, and freezing temperatures disrupt daily life.
Severe Winter Conditions Grip the Nation
Dangerous travel conditions are reported across the Midwest, with highways in Kansas and Indiana covered in snow and ice. The National Guard has mobilized to assist stranded motorists. Meanwhile, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued winter storm warnings from Kansas and Missouri to New Jersey, predicting over 20 centimeters (8 inches) of snow north of Interstate 70.
Polar Vortex Brings Record Cold
Officials warned early this morning, “For the most affected areas, this could be the most significant snowfall in at least a decade.”
The Polar Vortex, a mass of freezing air usually confined to the Arctic, has expanded southward, bringing subzero temperatures to millions. Scientists attribute this phenomenon partly to the rapid warming of the Arctic, which disrupts the vortex’s usual pattern.
Travel Chaos and Emergency Declarations
Indiana highways 64 and 41 are closed, with state police advising drivers to stay off the roads unless necessary. Kansas’ Interstate 70 saw partial closures, with forecasts of up to 35 centimeters (14 inches) of combined snow and sleet in some regions.
Ohio Valley residents can expect worsening conditions as the storm moves eastward, with freezing temperatures reaching as far south as Florida. In Missouri and Arkansas, governors declared states of emergency, warning of life-threatening travel risks.
Flight disruptions added to the chaos, with over 200 flights canceled at St. Louis Lambert International Airport. Kansas City International temporarily suspended operations due to icy runways, delaying dozens of flights, including a private jet carrying the Kansas City Chiefs.
Record-Low Temperatures Reported
Temperatures plunged to -18°C (-0.4°F) in Minneapolis, while International Falls, Minnesota, recorded -24°C (-11°F). The NWS predicts wind chills to remain dangerously low across two-thirds of the country into early next week.
Community Response and Shelter Efforts
Governors in Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, and Virginia have declared emergencies. In Baltimore, shelters have been opened to assist those in need, as wind chills dropped to -10.5°C (13°F). Residents in Annapolis, Maryland, are urged to move their vehicles off emergency snow routes as the city prepares for 20–30 centimeters (8–12 inches) of snow.
In Louisiana, a manatee spotted in Pontchartrain Lake faces rescue efforts as the cold threatens its survival. The Audubon Aquarium’s Gabriella Harlamert said, “We are doing everything possible to reach this animal.”
