Winter Storms Ravage the US Recent world climate News
A relentless series of winter storms, accompanied by a surge of cold air, has resulted in multiple fatalities across several states since last Friday. The central and eastern US is now bracing for another round of extreme cold and snow, promising hazardous travel conditions and a bitterly cold weekend. Here are the key updates:
Over Three Dozen Storm-Related Deaths
The death toll has risen to at least 40 people across nine states since January 12. Fatalities have been reported in Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Mississippi, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. Tennessee has seen the highest number of weather-related deaths, with 14 people losing their lives due to severe weather.
Upcoming Snow and Cold
Another round of accumulating snow is expected from the Midwest to the East on Friday. This includes light snowfall potentially reaching Washington, DC, and New York City, both just recovering from their nearly two-year snow drought. Winter weather alerts are in effect in southern areas such as Nashville, Lexington, and Charleston, West Virginia, on Thursday.
Northwest Power Outages and Treacherous Travel: Freezing rain and strong winds in the Pacific Northwest have caused power outages for over 85,000 homes and businesses in Oregon. Icy roads, fallen trees, and power lines have created dangerous travel conditions, prompting road closures. Buffalo, New York, is also facing snowy conditions with localized accumulations of up to 3 feet and wind gusts up to 40 mph.
Return of Harsh Cold
Despite a brief relief, bone-chilling air is set to return across the north-central US on Thursday, spreading across much of the central and eastern US by Friday afternoon. High temperatures will struggle to reach freezing in several cities, including Oklahoma City, Nashville, Philadelphia, and New York City, while Chicago and Minneapolis will experience single-digit and teens temperatures.
Snow in the Forecast
Another snowstorm is expected to hit portions of the Midwest and East on Friday, colliding with atmospheric energy traced back to the Northwest storm. The mid-Atlantic and Northeast, including Washington, DC, New York, and Philadelphia, might see light-to-moderate snow. Accumulations of 1 to 3 inches are likely, with some areas near the Appalachians possibly reaching half a foot.
Double Whammy in the Northwest
Back-to-back storms are impacting the Northwest, causing freezing rain and ice in Oregon and Washington, along with heavy snow in the region’s interior. Portland, Oregon, has witnessed seven storm-related deaths, and millions are under ice storm warnings. The severe weather threat is persisting, leading to school closures and significant disruptions.
As the nation grapples with these winter challenges, the focus remains on addressing the immediate threats and ensuring public safety in the face of the ongoing harsh weather conditions.
Recent Climate – Winter Storms Ravage the US, Winter Storms Ravage the US update
