At least five individuals have perished due to a significant winter storm that has enveloped large regions of the US, causing extensive school closures, travel disruptions, and power outages. Emergency declarations have been issued across seven states, including Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, and Arkansas.
Flight operations have been severely impacted, with over 2,300 cancellations and approximately 9,000 delays reported, all attributed to the extreme conditions caused by a polar vortex that has introduced frigid air usually found at the North Pole. Reports from Poweroutage.us indicate that over 200,000 residents found themselves without power on Monday night.
The National Weather Service (NWS) predicts continued snow and sleet throughout much of the northeastern US on Tuesday. Government offices and local schools in the Washington DC area have announced closures in response to the harsh weather. Accumulations in DC reached between 5-9 inches (13-23 cm), while parts of Maryland and Virginia reported up to a foot of snow.
In a festive twist, residents congregated at local parks for snowball fights—a tradition in the district—in spite of the extreme weather. Former Olympic skier Clare Egan took advantage of the situation, engaging in cross-country skiing on the National Mall, delighting in the anecdotal joys of the snow. Winter Storm Blair, the system's designation by the Weather Channel, is expected to keep temperatures low across affected regions for weeks even after the precipitation subsides.
However, the storm hasn't been without its perils. Missouri's highway patrol reported at least 365 vehicle crashes on Sunday alone, resulting in numerous injuries and at least one death. Kansas was particularly hard-hit, with reports of fatalities in car accidents caused by icy roads. A tragic incident in Houston, Texas, saw one person succumb to cold weather exposure, found deceased near a bus stop.
Authorities have urged residents in Virginia to stay off the roads as they deal with over 300 reported vehicular accidents overnight, with at least one motorist killed. Matthew Cappucci, a senior meteorologist, highlighted Kansas City's record snowfall, the highest in 32 years, resulting in treacherous driving conditions synonymous with "skating rinks" for residents near the Ohio River.
With continued risks ahead, officials are emphasizing the importance of staying home and minimizing travel in light of the severe winter.
Flight operations have been severely impacted, with over 2,300 cancellations and approximately 9,000 delays reported, all attributed to the extreme conditions caused by a polar vortex that has introduced frigid air usually found at the North Pole. Reports from Poweroutage.us indicate that over 200,000 residents found themselves without power on Monday night.
The National Weather Service (NWS) predicts continued snow and sleet throughout much of the northeastern US on Tuesday. Government offices and local schools in the Washington DC area have announced closures in response to the harsh weather. Accumulations in DC reached between 5-9 inches (13-23 cm), while parts of Maryland and Virginia reported up to a foot of snow.
In a festive twist, residents congregated at local parks for snowball fights—a tradition in the district—in spite of the extreme weather. Former Olympic skier Clare Egan took advantage of the situation, engaging in cross-country skiing on the National Mall, delighting in the anecdotal joys of the snow. Winter Storm Blair, the system's designation by the Weather Channel, is expected to keep temperatures low across affected regions for weeks even after the precipitation subsides.
However, the storm hasn't been without its perils. Missouri's highway patrol reported at least 365 vehicle crashes on Sunday alone, resulting in numerous injuries and at least one death. Kansas was particularly hard-hit, with reports of fatalities in car accidents caused by icy roads. A tragic incident in Houston, Texas, saw one person succumb to cold weather exposure, found deceased near a bus stop.
Authorities have urged residents in Virginia to stay off the roads as they deal with over 300 reported vehicular accidents overnight, with at least one motorist killed. Matthew Cappucci, a senior meteorologist, highlighted Kansas City's record snowfall, the highest in 32 years, resulting in treacherous driving conditions synonymous with "skating rinks" for residents near the Ohio River.
With continued risks ahead, officials are emphasizing the importance of staying home and minimizing travel in light of the severe winter.
