Bitter Arctic Air Grips United States
New York, The Gulf Observer: As a relentless blast of Arctic air tightens its grip on much of the United States this weekend, tens of millions of Americans find themselves in the clutches of bone-chilling cold, navigating treacherous icy conditions, and mourning the tragic toll exacted by the hazardous weather. Forecasters issued stark warnings on Saturday as the number of weather-related deaths surpassed 60.
The Northeast and Midwest bore the brunt of heavy snowfall on Friday, blanketing regions and rendering roadways perilously slick. Overnight, plummeting temperatures exacerbated the hazardous conditions, leading to a spate of accidents and fatalities.
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency reported two additional deaths stemming from an incident on a rural highway in Leflore County, north of Jackson, with details surrounding the tragedy yet to be disclosed. This grim update brings the state’s death toll to at least eight over the past week, primarily attributed to perilous road conditions and extreme cold.
Nationwide, the toll from weather-related fatalities has climbed to at least 61, with Tennessee and Oregon recording a disproportionate share of the casualties.
Emergency officials in Mississippi cautioned on Saturday, stating, “Frostbite and hypothermia are likely with prolonged outdoor exposure,” underscoring the severity of the ongoing weather crisis.
According to the National Weather Service, temperatures were anticipated to plummet to the single digits in Minneapolis, with the wind chill making it feel as low as minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit across parts of the northern Plains. The chill extended its reach, with the teens expected in Chicago and St. Louis. In Baltimore, high winds on Saturday made temperatures feel like they were barely in the double digits, adding an extra layer of discomfort for attendees of the NFL playoff game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans.
While Baltimore faced frigid conditions, anticipation rose in Buffalo, New York, where football fans volunteered to shovel out Highmark Stadium ahead of the playoff clash between the Chiefs and the Bills. In Southern cities such as Atlanta and Nashville, residents grappled with feels-like temperatures in the teens and below zero Fahrenheit, respectively.
The Great Lakes region remained ensnared by perilous travel conditions on Saturday morning, with snow showers expected to redevelop in parts of Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois. This followed significant snowfall in Indiana, where some areas saw up to 32 inches on Friday.
Simultaneously, Northern California braced for heavy rain, while thousands in the Portland, Oregon, area remained without power after a bout of freezing rain on Friday. Oregon has witnessed at least nine weather-related deaths, including a tragic incident in Portland where three individuals succumbed to a downed power line, highlighting the deadly consequences of the severe weather.
As the nation grapples with the bitter cold, relief is on the horizon. The National Weather Service indicated that, with “no additional replenishment of Arctic air from Canada,” a “steady warm-up” is anticipated for the middle of the country beginning Sunday, signaling a respite from the frigid conditions that have gripped the nation.
