Harsh Winter Storm Conditions Blasts Much of the U.S.

What's the story?

• Severe cold temperatures have enveloped regions across the U.S., affecting the Rockies, Great Plains, and Midwest on Tuesday.
• The frigid conditions brought wind chills below –30F in many parts, causing over 85,000 homes and businesses to lose power, and several deaths nationwide. 

Across the U.S.

• The National Weather Service issued a statement on social media, highlighting "a very active weather pattern" that had prompted warnings and advisories in every state nationwide.
• The repercussions of the freezing temperatures rippled across various sectors, from air and road travel to the NFL playoff games. Even Iowa's presidential caucuses felt the impact. In major cities such as Portland, Chicago, Denver, Dallas, and Fort Worth, Texas, classes were canceled for students.
• Blizzard warnings remain in effect across many parts of the Midwest and the Great Lakes. The southeastern U.S. continues to experience freezing rain and sleet, with winter storm warnings in effect for various counties in Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Overnight temperatures dropped as low as 10F in Mississippi and Tennessee. 
• While moderate temperatures were expected midweek, a new surge of colder air is forecast to descend over the Northern Plains and Midwest, reaching the deep South by Friday.

Air travel

• Air travelers nationwide faced disruptions, with approximately 2,900 cancellations reported on Monday, according to the flight tracking service FlightAware.com.
• Southwest Airlines took the lead in cancellations with 355 flights, followed by SkyWest at 275, and United with 258 canceled flights. 

Fatalities

• Portland, Oregon, saw four fatalities, including two individuals succumbing to suspected hypothermia. Another woman lost her life when a tree fell on her residence and caused a fire.
• Wisconsin reported three deaths among the houseless population in the Milwaukee area, with hypothermia being the likely cause, according to officials.
• Transportation officials urged residents to refrain from travel due to treacherously icy roads that could bring down trees and power lines.

How to stay safe

• Experts unanimously advise those affected by the cold to exercise extreme caution, stay indoors as much as possible, and remain aware of signs of frostbite and hypothermia.
• Keep an eye out for frostbite symptoms, including skin that appears blistered, discolored, unusually firm, or waxy. If you suspect frostbite, seek shelter immediately. Refrain from walking on frostbitten feet or toes and avoid massaging affected areas, both of which can exacerbate the damage.
• Prolonged exposure to cold conditions causes the body to lose heat more rapidly than it can generate, leading to hypothermia. In the initial stages of hypothermia, individuals often exhibit signs of disorientation, drowsiness, and compromised judgment. Physical symptoms may include fumbling and slurred speech. Until professional assistance is available, it's critical to move indoors and slowly warm the impacted individual.

Are you prepared for winter storms?

-Jamie Epstein

(Photo credit: Ready.gov)