Good morning and welcome to the US weather blog. I’m Tom Ambrose, and I will be bringing you all the latest news lines over the next few hours.
Widespread Winter Weather Impacts Across the Nation
The United States is enduring another intense bout of severe winter weather, as a succession of powerful weather systems sweeps across the country. These systems are delivering heavy snow, freezing rain, and extreme cold temperatures to vast regions, creating hazardous conditions and significant disruptions.
Storm Warnings and Affected Areas
Over the weekend, the National Weather Service issued storm warnings for twenty-six states, stretching from Texas to Massachusetts. Many of these alerts remain in effect this week, underscoring the persistent nature of the weather threat. The severe conditions began with heavy snow falling in parts of north Texas and Oklahoma on Friday evening before pushing eastwards.
By Sunday, swathes of the central and eastern US were experiencing either heavy snow or freezing rain. This has led to widespread travel disruption, with roads becoming treacherous and flights delayed or cancelled. In cities including New York and Philadelphia, some areas recorded substantial snowfall of 30-50cm, compounding the challenges for residents and authorities.
Ice Accumulation and Power Outages
In parts of Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky, about 2.5cm (1 inch) of ice coated cars, roads, trees, and downed power lines. This ice build-up has been a major factor in the extensive power outages affecting the region. As of Sunday night, more than 800,000 households were without electricity, and power outages are expected to last several days in some areas, highlighting the severity of the infrastructure damage.
Extreme Cold and Associated Hazards
The severe weather has also brought widespread intense cold, which is now spreading southwards. In parts of Texas, temperatures have plummeted to lows of -20°C, posing additional risks to health and safety. Forecasters have warned of an unusual hazard associated with this deep freeze: "exploding" trees. Rapid freezing causes water and tree sap to expand inside tree trunks, sometimes producing loud cracking or explosive sounds as wood and bark split under pressure, adding a surreal element to the already dangerous conditions.
Human Impact and Fatalities
Tragically, at least seven deaths have been linked to the extreme conditions, reminding us of the human cost of such severe weather events. The combination of snow, ice, and cold continues to test emergency services and communities across the affected states.
As the situation evolves, stay tuned for further updates on this developing weather story.
