Massive winter storm to batter US with icy grip, crippling daily life and plunging millions into darkness.
A behemoth of a storm system is set to wreak havoc on over 160 million Americans as it hurtles across the country, dumping heavy snow and freezing rain on a vast swathe of the nation. The National Weather Service has warned of "catastrophic" ice accumulation, which could lead to long-duration power outages, extensive tree damage, and travel conditions that are extremely dangerous or impassable.
As the storm system forms off the California coast, it will soon make landfall in multiple US states, bringing with it a treacherous mix of sleet and freezing rain. The threat is real, with state officials declaring emergencies across 14 states from the south to the northeast, as well as Washington DC.
Residents are being urged to stock up on supplies, prepare emergency kits, and keep their vehicle gas tanks full in case fuel lines freeze. With wind chills forecasted to hit -48C in parts of the Upper Midwest, even short trips outdoors could become deadly.
The storm's impact is expected to be felt for days, shifting into the mid-Atlantic and northeastern states while crippling daily life across wide areas of the country. The brunt of the storm will bring with it frigid temperatures and dangerous winds that could last a week in some areas.
Climate experts say the increasing frequency of polar vortex disruptions may be linked to climate change, but debate is still ongoing on this point. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has taken to social media to question how cold fronts fit into broader climate shifts.
With millions bracing for the worst, one thing is clear: this storm will bring with it a winter wonderland β but also one of extreme danger and disruption.
A behemoth of a storm system is set to wreak havoc on over 160 million Americans as it hurtles across the country, dumping heavy snow and freezing rain on a vast swathe of the nation. The National Weather Service has warned of "catastrophic" ice accumulation, which could lead to long-duration power outages, extensive tree damage, and travel conditions that are extremely dangerous or impassable.
As the storm system forms off the California coast, it will soon make landfall in multiple US states, bringing with it a treacherous mix of sleet and freezing rain. The threat is real, with state officials declaring emergencies across 14 states from the south to the northeast, as well as Washington DC.
Residents are being urged to stock up on supplies, prepare emergency kits, and keep their vehicle gas tanks full in case fuel lines freeze. With wind chills forecasted to hit -48C in parts of the Upper Midwest, even short trips outdoors could become deadly.
The storm's impact is expected to be felt for days, shifting into the mid-Atlantic and northeastern states while crippling daily life across wide areas of the country. The brunt of the storm will bring with it frigid temperatures and dangerous winds that could last a week in some areas.
Climate experts say the increasing frequency of polar vortex disruptions may be linked to climate change, but debate is still ongoing on this point. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has taken to social media to question how cold fronts fit into broader climate shifts.
With millions bracing for the worst, one thing is clear: this storm will bring with it a winter wonderland β but also one of extreme danger and disruption.