A powerful winter storm system, known as a bomb cyclone, has unleashed a wave of extreme cold and disruption across a vast portion of the eastern United States, stretching from the Gulf Coast to New England. The intense weather event has resulted in heavy snowfall, widespread travel chaos with thousands of flights grounded, and bizarre biological phenomena in southern states.
Record Cold and Icy Iguanas in Florida
Meteorologists reported that approximately 150 million people were under cold weather advisories on Sunday, with the eastern US experiencing its most severe chill in decades. Peter Mullinax, a meteorologist from the weather prediction centre in College Park, Maryland, confirmed this represents the coldest air mass to hit South Florida since December 1989.
In a surreal turn of events, the frigid temperatures in Florida caused cold-blooded iguanas to enter a dormant state and fall from trees. "Iguanas in South Florida go dormant in the cold and though they usually wake when temperatures warm, the reptiles can die after more than a day of extreme cold," Mullinax explained. The unusual cold also led to icicles forming on strawberry and orange crops across the state.
Travel Chaos and Snowfall Records
The bomb cyclone, characterised by its rapid intensification, dumped nearly a foot of snow in and around Charlotte, North Carolina. This snowfall event ranked among the top five heaviest in the city's recorded history. The travel disruption has been severe, with FlightAware data showing over 2,800 US flight cancellations on Saturday and a further 1,500 on Sunday. Charlotte Douglas International Airport alone accounted for about 800 of Sunday's cancellations.
Road travel proved equally treacherous. A major crash on Interstate 85 northeast of Charlotte created an hours-long traffic jam involving dozens of vehicles. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein reported more than 1,000 traffic collisions and two fatalities linked to the severe conditions.
Power Outages and Emergency Response
The storm's impact extended to critical infrastructure, with tens of thousands of households remaining without electricity. In Tennessee and Mississippi, states already recovering from last weekend's ice storm, over 97,000 customers were still without power on Sunday according to poweroutage.us. Florida reported an additional 29,000 outages.
Utility companies are working against challenging conditions to restore services. Nashville Electric Service anticipates restoring power to 90% of affected customers by Tuesday, with 99% expected to have electricity back by next Sunday. Mississippi officials described this as the state's worst winter storm since 1994, prompting the opening of about 80 warming centres and deployment of National Guard troops to deliver supplies via truck and helicopter.
Community Impact and Ongoing Challenges
Residents across affected regions are adapting to the extreme conditions. Lee Harrison, an insurance agent from a town outside Greenville, North Carolina, found his neighbourhood blanketed in snow thick enough to discourage driving. "We're not gonna drive anywhere," Harrison stated. "It's thick enough that I would not feel comfortable driving with our family." Instead, he planned backyard sledding with his three daughters.
Meteorologist Mullinax warned that recovery will be prolonged in some areas, particularly parts of the Carolinas facing gusty winds and bitterly cold wind chills. "Parts of the Carolina's are going to be 'digging out' for several days," he predicted. Looking ahead, light snow is forecast for the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic regions from Washington D.C. to potentially New York City on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The human cost of this extended cold spell continues to mount, with more than 110 weather-related deaths reported so far. As communities brace for continued challenges, this unprecedented winter event serves as a stark reminder of nature's formidable power during the coldest months.
