29 Jan 2019 | 08:01 PM UTC
US: Winter storm brings severe cold, snowfall from Midwest to Northeast Jan. 29 /update 2
Winter Storm Jayden brings extreme winter weather to the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, South, and Northeast January 29, with over 1600 flights canceled; at least five weather-related deaths reported
Event
Winter Storm Jayden continues to bring historically cold temperatures and snowfall to parts of the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, South, and Northeast as of Tuesday, January 29, leading to significant transportation and business disruptions. Over 1600 flights have been canceled on Tuesday due to the storm and many schools and government offices have been closed in affected areas. The states of Wisconsin and Alabama have declared states of emergency. At least five people have been killed in winter weather-related incidents.
As of Tuesday afternoon (local time), the National Weather Service has issued wind chill warnings across the Midwest, including in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio, with affected areas forecast to experience temperatures below -18°C (0°F), with wind chills as low as -51°C (-60°F). Portions of Pennsylvania, New York, and West Virginia are also under wind chill warnings, with wind chills forecast as low as -22°C (-8°F). Winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories are also in effect for parts of the states of Michigan, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia, as well as the District of Columbia.
Significant transportation disruptions, including numerous road and highway closures and flight delays and cancelations, are to be expected in affected areas over the coming hours and days. Infrastructure failures, including power outages and pipe bursts, are also possible.
Context
The extreme temperatures are caused by low-pressure system of arctic air that sometimes travels south, in an event commonly known as a "polar vortex." Officials recorded lows of -26°C (-16°F) in Chicago (Illinois) and -27°C (-18°F) in Green Bay (Wisconsin) during the so-called Polar Vortex of 2014.
Advice
Individuals in affected regions of the US are advised to monitor local weather reports, anticipate transportation disruptions (e.g. flight delays and cancelations, icy roads, limited visibility), refrain from unnecessary travel, and keep sufficient food, water, and warm clothing if driving.
