More than 200 million Americans are expected to face an unusually brutal winter storm starting Friday, with heavy snows and freezing rains forecast. The storm is expected to sweep through much of the United States, leaving extremely dangerous conditions in its wake as it tracks eastwards from the High Plains and Rockies, the National Weather Service (NWS) said.
The Arctic blast will bring sub-zero temperatures and wind chills, which pose a life-threatening risk of hypothermia and frostbite to exposed skin. US transportation officials, including airport authorities in several major cities, have warned of weekend travel disruption, delays and cancellations.
The winter storm is forecast to move slowly across the US, blanketing cities including Memphis, Nashville, Washington DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York with snow. Heavy snow is predicted through the Southern Rockies and Plains, into the Mid-Atlantic and reaching the Northeast. Parts of northeast New Jersey and southeast New York, including New York City, could see between 10 and 14 inches of snow starting early on Sunday and lasting through Monday.
Numerous low temperature records are likely to be broken, with the coldest wind chills potentially falling below -50F across the Northern Plains. Governors in several states have declared states of emergency, allowing response efforts to mobilize. For instance, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced more than 1,600 snow plows and 114,000 tonnes of salt are ready for the storm.
Travel is expected to be nearly impossible during the storm, and more than 3,200 flights have already been canceled this weekend. Motorists are advised to avoid driving. With freezing temperatures gripping Canada, the frigid air mass will continue to affect the Eastern US into next week.
