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An intense winter storm hit the southern and midwestern United States overnight, bringing a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain across a 2,000-mile stretch from the Canadian to Mexican borders.
The National Weather Service stated, “The system will continue to bring multiple rounds of winter weather until Friday in parts of the central U.S. before moving towards the interior Northeast.”
The severe weather, combined with inadequately winterized electrical grids, has led to widespread power outages in many homes. Approximately 130,000 households have been affected, with Texas and Arkansas facing the highest numbers of outages.
The winter storm’s impact is vast—you could drive from Crockett County, TX to Aroostook County, ME without leaving the Winter Storm Warning zone! ❄️
— NWS San Angelo (@NWSSanAngelo)
Travel in the affected states has been significantly disrupted, with snow-blocked roads and mass flight cancellations at airports. Kevin Sur from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency mentioned, “Snow accumulation, high winds, and freezing temperatures are making travel extremely difficult, with several highways closed due to accidents and jack-knifed trucks.”
The storm is now moving towards the northeastern U.S., expected to bring similar weather conditions by Friday.
