A powerful succession of winter weather systems has plunged much of the United States into a deep freeze, bringing heavy snowfall, treacherous ice and dangerously low temperatures across a vast swathe of the country. The National Weather Service issued storm warnings for twenty-six states over the weekend, from Texas in the south to Massachusetts in the north-east, with many alerts remaining active into the new week.
Widespread Disruption and Hazardous Conditions
The severe weather began its onslaught on Friday evening, with heavy snow initially falling across parts of north Texas and Oklahoma. The system then pushed relentlessly eastwards, and by Sunday, significant portions of the central and eastern United States were grappling with either heavy snow or freezing rain. This has resulted in widespread travel disruption, with roads becoming impassable and flight cancellations mounting.
In states including Mississippi, Tennessee and Kentucky, a layer of ice approximately 2.5 centimetres thick coated vehicles, roadways, trees and downed power lines, creating extremely hazardous conditions. The snow and freezing rain continued to track north-east, impacting major metropolitan areas such as New York City and Philadelphia, where some locales recorded staggering snowfall totals between 30 and 50 centimetres.
Power Outages and Tragic Consequences
The extreme conditions have led to severe infrastructure strain. As of Sunday night, more than 800,000 households were reported to be without electricity, and utility companies warn that power outages could persist for several days in the hardest-hit regions. Tragically, the severe weather has been linked to at least seven fatalities.
Adding to the peril, an intense cold front is now spreading southwards, bringing bone-chilling temperatures. Parts of Texas are experiencing lows plunging to a frigid -20°C. Forecasters have highlighted an unusual and alarming hazard associated with this deep freeze: the phenomenon of "exploding" trees. Rapid freezing causes water and sap within tree trunks to expand, sometimes resulting in loud cracking or even explosive sounds as the wood and bark split under immense internal pressure.
Storm Joseph Threatens Portugal with Torrential Rain
While the US contends with snow and ice, Europe is facing its own severe weather challenges. The Portuguese meteorological agency has named a new Atlantic low-pressure system, Storm Joseph, which is expected to bring further severe rainfall to the Iberian peninsula.
This comes after Storm Ingrid recently brought strong winds, heavy rain and even snowfall to parts of the region. Much of Portugal and north-western Spain is now bracing for exceptionally high rainfall totals throughout the week. Forecasts suggest up to 20 centimetres of rain could fall by Friday, with higher ground potentially receiving more than 30 centimetres. These torrential downpours significantly elevate the risk of flooding and are likely to cause further disruption across the region.
