As an arctic blast sends dangerously low temperatures sweeping across several regions, including Chicago to Tennessee, the adverse weather conditions have led to widespread disruption and, tragically, over 30 weather-related fatalities reported nationwide this week.
Authorities have confirmed deaths in 10 states, namely Oregon, New York, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Mississippi, and Tennessee, with incidents ranging from probable hypothermia to fatal crashes caused by snowy road conditions.
A 40-year-old male in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, was pronounced dead after being found near railroad tracks on W. Woolworth Avenue, believed to have succumbed to hypothermia.
The treacherous winter conditions have also taken a toll on transportation, resulting in the cancellation of over 1,000 flights on Wednesday.
The wind chill, indicating what the temperature feels like, plummeted to minus 14 degrees in Chicago and minus 13 degrees in Nashville, Tennessee, on Wednesday, with similarly bitter conditions forecasted for the weekend.
Residents in typically warmer areas, such as Tampa, Florida, found themselves under a wind chill advisory.
The forecast predicts wind chills of minus 14 degrees in Chicago, minus 24 degrees in Kansas City, Missouri, and minus 1 degree in Memphis, Tennessee, further intensifying concerns about the extreme cold.
Severe Winter Storm Wreaks Havoc
As the nation grapples with these frigid conditions, Buffalo and Watertown, New York, have been issued lake-effect snow warnings, with snowfall totals anticipated to reach 3 feet by Thursday night.
Authorities in Buffalo implemented a travel ban, forcing the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres to reschedule their game against the Chicago Blackhawks. Buffalo Public Schools also closed for both Wednesday and Thursday.
The Pacific Northwest is bracing for another storm, with ice storm warnings in effect for parts of Washington and Oregon. In the Colorado Rockies, avalanche danger is at a critical level on Wednesday.
Looking ahead, up to 2 feet of heavy snow is expected to move from the Cascade mountains to the northern and central Rockies Wednesday into Thursday.
By Thursday, the snow is forecasted to reach South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri. Thursday night into Friday, heavy snowfall is expected in the Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast.
On Friday, the snowfall will extend to Washington, DC, and New York City, with one to three inches of snow likely for the Interstate 95 corridor from DC to New York to Connecticut.
In spite of this persistent winter storm, communities are strongly encouraged to maintain a state of alertness, make necessary preparations for extreme circumstances, and give precedence to safety in light of these arduous weather patterns.