Extremely cold temperatures hit the South on Monday ahead of the winter storm's expected spread. Heavy snow and breaking ice Around an area from Texas to northern Florida, where such weather is rarely seen, residents were sent to insulate pipes, check heating systems and stock up on emergency supplies.
Mark Chenard, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in College Park, Maryland, said about 40 million people, primarily in the Southern U.S., were at risk of some type of weather, including more than 21 million under winter storm warnings. Were under.
He said about 170 million people from the Rockies eastward were under either extreme warnings or cold weather advisories.
Where are the winter storm warnings?
parts of texas Are under winter weather advisory, where some minor snow accumulations may create slick spots – especially on elevated surfaces. Winter storm warnings have been issued for several counties in the southern and eastern parts of the state, an unusual burst of severe winter weather hitting a large portion of the South, including the northern Gulf Coast.
in Texas, three airports in houston Flight operations are being halted on Tuesday as hazardous travel conditions are expected in the area. Major airlines are also delaying and canceling fights In preparation for the explosion, CBS News Moneywatch reported.
The storm is expected to impact Texas beginning Monday evening, spreading eastward by Wednesday morning and bringing heavy snowfall to the north along the Interstate 10 corridor, as well as South Texas and southeast Georgia. And northern Florida will see sleet and freezing rain.
Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and the Florida Panhandle also face winter storm warnings.
with North Florida braces for snowfall And snow, Florida House and Senate leaders on Monday canceled committee meetings scheduled this week
Elsewhere, the East Coast grappled with thick blankets of snow, while people from the Northern Plains to the tip of Maine were left freezing. extremely cold temperatures Temperatures fell well below normal on Monday with dangerously cold air from the Arctic air mass.
This coming week will be one of those Coldest week in southern New England Over the years, CBS Boston reported.
How much snow and how cold?
Record cold temperatures are expected across the eastern two-thirds of the US through Thursday, with wind chills as low as 40-55 degrees below zero in some areas.
Extreme cold temperatures prompted President Trump to take the oath of office inside on Monday Capitol RotundaMonths of careful planning took place for a massive outdoor event with crowds spilling out onto the National Mall. The last time the inauguration ceremony was held inside Ronald Reagan's home was in 1985.
in New YorkTemperatures on Monday managed to reach the mid-20s, but due to the wind, temperatures will feel below zero in some parts of the state. Heavy lake-effect snow 1 to 2 feet of rain is expected in some areas along the Lake Ontario coast in western New York state Monday through Wednesday morning.
In Texas, lowest temperature could drop to 6 degrees, feels like this CBS News Texas meteorologist
Elsewhere, the weather from the Rockies to the northern Plains will be colder than normal for several days, with temperatures expected to fall between minus 30 degrees to minus 55 degrees on Monday. Wind chills below zero are expected as far south as Oklahoma and the Tennessee Valley.
The weather service issued a cold weather advisory throughout the Great Lakes region as high temperatures were expected to rise only to the single digits or teens in many locations on Monday and Tuesday. Cold winds at night can drop the temperature to minus 20 or below. Chicago's high temperature on Monday was expected to reach only 10 degrees, while Monday night's low was expected to be minus 5 degrees.
Like earlier this month, this latest cold wave has been caused by a disruption polar vortexA ring of cold air usually remains trapped around the North Pole.
Last time the polar vortex badly affected the South February 2021When the entire state was under winter storm warning. This left millions of people without access to electricity and clean water.
Jonathan LeBron, 39, plumbing manager for Nick's Plumbing and Air Conditioning in the Houston area, said the company started getting calls from homeowners Monday about concerns about frozen pipes.
“A little nervous,” LeBron said. “I think they're well aware of what's going on. The last stop was three or four years ago. They want us to go out there and make sure things are kept safe accordingly.”
According to the National Weather Service, Houston's low on Tuesday will be around 18 degrees or low enough for water to freeze in pipes, expand and then burst.