Bitter Cold and Snow Set to Grip the Southern US

A potent wave of bitter cold is poised to envelop the southern United States on Tuesday, as the region grapples with the aftermath of the year’s first major winter storm.

The considerable storm system has already delivered harsh weather conditions to various parts of the country, including areas unaccustomed to winter storms. Trees were downed in several Southern states, a freeze alert was issued in Florida, and Dallas residents found themselves donning winter attire to brace for the chill.

By early Tuesday, the National Weather Service predicted that wind chill temperatures could plunge into the teens to low twenties, reaching as low as minus 10.5 degrees Celsius, stretching from Texas across the Gulf Coast. A low-pressure system is anticipated to develop by Wednesday near southern Texas, which may result in snowfall across parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana.

This cold spell is attributed to a polar vortex that dipped south over the weekend, enveloping much of the country east of the Rockies in freezing temperatures. The storm led to dangerous roads, school closures, and widespread disruptions, including power outages and flight cancellations. Ice and snow accumulated on major roads in Kansas, western Nebraska, and parts of Indiana, compelling the National Guard to assist stranded motorists. Kansas and Missouri were placed under winter storm warnings, with blizzard conditions driving wind gusts up to 45 mph. The warnings continued into early Tuesday, extending to New Jersey.

Transport has become hazardous, with hundreds of vehicular accidents reported in Virginia, Indiana, Kansas, and Kentucky. A state trooper in Kentucky sustained non-life-threatening injuries after his vehicle was struck on icy roads. Virginia State Police managed at least 430 crashes on Sunday and Monday, leading to additional fatalities in West Virginia and North Carolina. The weekend also saw deadly accidents in Kansas.

Flight operations have been heavily impacted, with over 2,300 cancellations and at least 9,100 delays across the nation by Monday night. At Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, about 58% of arrivals and 70% of departures were canceled. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport recorded a record 8 inches of snowfall on Sunday, instigating numerous flight cancellations that persisted into Monday. Typically congested roads leading into Cincinnati were paralyzed due to car and truck accidents. Indiana also saw roadways covered in snow, prompting authorities to request that people remain indoors.

Further snowfall and icy conditions are expected, with Indiana’s highways including Interstate 64, Interstate 69, and U.S. Route 41 under snow. Todd Ringle, a State Police Sergeant, noted the rapid re-accumulation of snow despite frequent plowing. The Mid-Atlantic region braced for an additional 6 to 12 inches of snow on Monday, followed by bone-chilling temperatures predicted to plummet into single digits across the Central Plains and extending to the Mississippi and Ohio valleys.

In North Texas, forecasts suggest 2 to 5 inches of snow beginning Thursday, with similar conditions anticipated in Oklahoma and Arkansas, possibly accumulating more than 4 inches. These adverse weather conditions have led to widespread school closures across various states such as Indiana, Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri, and Kansas. Kentucky’s Jefferson County Public Schools, serving nearly 100,000 students, closed entirely, along with Maryland, where Governor Wes Moore declared a state of emergency and shut state government offices. Kentucky’s Governor Andy Beshear similarly declared a state of emergency, leading to governmental office closures.

Power outages have compounded the community challenges, leaving more than 218,000 customers without electricity by Monday night across several states, including Kentucky, Indiana, Virginia, West Virginia, Illinois, Missouri, and North Carolina. Richmond, Virginia, faced an additional crisis with a power-induced malfunction in the water system, urging residents to avoid using tap water without boiling it first and to conserve water.

The polar vortex, typically constrained to the North Pole, occasionally dips into regions like the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Research indicates that a rapidly warming Arctic plays a role in these increased polar vortex events.

With temperatures set to plunge and snow expected to continue, regions across the southern United States must remain vigilant. As adverse weather persists, it is crucial for residents to stay informed and prepared for ensuing disruptions.

Source: News4jax

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