Much of the United States is facing an intense winter storm, aptly named Storm Blair, as it brings bone-chilling temperatures and heavy snowfall to millions. On Monday morning, residents woke up to below-freezing temperatures, with forecasts indicating that areas will experience temperatures ranging from 12 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit (7 to 14 degrees Celsius) below normal. The National Weather Service (NWS) has warned that these frigid conditions could persist for an entire week.
The storm is expected to unleash "the heaviest snowfall in at least a decade," with parts of northern Missouri already reporting up to 14 inches (36 cm) of sleet and snow. Alongside the snowfall, severe thunderstorms capable of generating tornadoes were anticipated to move eastward from Arkansas and Louisiana into Mississippi and Alabama late Sunday evening. This combination of extreme weather has prompted closures in schools across Virginia, Maryland, Indiana, and Kentucky on Monday.
In Canada, the impact of Storm Blair is equally significant. Parts of Ontario were forecasted to receive as much as 15 inches (38 cm) of snow on Sunday alone. As the storm progresses, more than 60 million Americans find themselves under various weather alerts, with thirty states stretching from the Midwest to the East Coast feeling the effects.
The extreme cold gripping much of North America is attributed to the polar vortex, a phenomenon that circulates cold air around the Arctic region. Dan DePodwin, a meteorologist, noted the severity of this winter event by stating, "This could lead to the coldest January for the US since 2011."
Travelers are facing immense challenges due to the storm's disruptive effects. Amtrak has announced numerous cancellations of rail services as a result of the severe weather conditions. According to FlightAware.com, approximately 1,400 US flights were cancelled for the day, while around 800 were delayed. The NWS cautioned that "whiteout conditions will make travel extremely hazardous, with impassable roads and a high risk of motorists becoming stranded."
Several states have declared a state of emergency in response to the hazardous conditions caused by Storm Blair. Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Arkansas, and parts of New Jersey are among those taking precautionary measures as they brace for further impacts.
Ryan Maue, a meteorologist, emphasized the unprecedented nature of this winter storm, stating, "It's going to be a mess, a potential disaster. This is something we haven't seen in quite a while." As communities prepare for more snowfall and continued icy conditions, public safety officials have urged residents to stay indoors whenever possible.
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