A massive blast of US winter snow, ice, wind and plunging temperatures created dangerous travel conditions from the central and southern states to the East Coast early Monday, closing schools and government offices in many states.
Major roads were covered in snow and ice in parts of Kansas, western Nebraska and Indiana, where the state National Guard was activated to help stranded motorists. At least 20 centimeters of snowfall was expected, along with winds gusting up to 72 kilometers per hour.
The National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings from Kansas and Missouri to New Jersey.
“In locations across the region that receive the most snowfall, this could be the heaviest snowfall in at least a decade,” the weather service said.
Gary Wright wore a parka when she and her husband plowed through thick snow on their SUV in a slippery apartment parking lot in Missouri. Wright said he would work remotely on Monday, but wanted to scratch his vehicle as an excuse to spend a little time in the snow. He’s also looking for shoes for his two older dogs that won’t “move at all” when their paws hit the cold ground.
The polar vortex of extremely cold air usually rotates around the North Pole. When the vortex escapes and falls towards the south, people in America, Europe and Asia experience its intense cold.
Studies show that a rapidly warming Arctic is partly responsible for the increasing frequency of the polar vortex increasing its icy grip.
classes were canceled
Mass school closures are expected on Monday. Districts in Indiana, Virginia and Kentucky began announcing cancellations and delays Sunday afternoon. Kentucky’s Jefferson County Public Schools canceled classes, extracurricular activities and athletics for its nearly 100,000 students.
Classes have also been canceled in Maryland, where Gov. Wes Moore declared a state of emergency on Sunday and announced that the state government would be closed on Monday.
“Keeping Marylanders safe is our top priority. Please stay off the roads during this storm. Prepare your home and family and charge your communication devices in case of power outages, Moore said in a statement.
