BOSTON — A cold wave is sweeping across the United States, causing residents from the Northern Plains to the far Northeast to brace for frigid temperatures. Many areas along the East Coast are currently blanketed in snow, with more expected in the days ahead.
The National Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings for parts of the Mid-Atlantic and New England, warning that heavy lake-effect snow could bring accumulations of 2 to 3 feet in some parts of western New York, particularly around Oswego near Lake Ontario. According to meteorologist Marc Chenard, up to 70 million people may find themselves under winter storm warnings in the upcoming week.
As temperatures drop, much of the Eastern Seaboard is expected to experience some of the coldest weather of the season. The Rockies and Northern Plains are forecasted to see temperatures plummet between minus 30 to minus 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Even areas further south, including Oklahoma and the Tennessee Valley, will face sub-zero wind chills.
In Minnesota, officials are advising residents to dress warmly and have a safety kit ready while traveling. Kristi Rollwagen, a local emergency management director, emphasized the importance of being prepared, reminding residents that these harsh winter conditions are not new to them.
Washington, D.C., is not spared from the chill either, with temperatures predicted to drop into the 20s, accompanied by strong wind gusts. Due to the severe weather, arrangements were made to move President Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony indoors for safety.
This sudden cold snap originates from a disturbance in the polar vortex, a band of cold air typically confined to the North Pole. Although the frigid air will gradually ease, many areas in the Central and Eastern U.S. will still experience cold temperatures, with highs remaining in the teens and twenties and lows potentially reaching below zero.
Meanwhile, unusual winter weather is also anticipated in the South. Starting Monday, nearly 30 million people may face a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain stretching from Texas to northern Florida and the Carolinas. This storm, fueled by frigid air and a low-pressure system over the Gulf, is expected to bring heavy snow to parts of Louisiana and a mixed bag of winter weather along the Gulf Coast.
In light of the impending severe weather, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has declared a state of emergency, urging residents to stay informed and prepare accordingly.
