Monster storm moves in – warns of “catastrophe”
Published 00.17
The massive winter storm is hitting the US in two waves.
Meteorologists are warning of large amounts of snow, catastrophic ice formation and life-threatening extreme cold.
Now the authorities are preparing for long-term power outages and mobilizing soldiers.
More than half of the US area, and two-thirds of the population, are affected by warnings ahead of this weekend’s storm. The alert level ahead of a winter storm is thus the most extensive since 2008, according to CNN.
The first wave moves in from the south during the night towards Saturday and the next wave will arrive already on Saturday evening and extend into Sunday, writes The Hill.
A state of disaster had been declared on Friday in and among the cities hardest hit are Dallas, Oklahoma City, Washington DC, New York and Boston.
Over the course of three days, up to 90 centimeters of snow is expected in the worst-affected areas. Temperatures could drop as low as minus 30 degrees. The NWS also warns of “locally catastrophic” icing of snow and freezing rain. Power grids are expected to be knocked out, trees toppled and roads closed.
Thousands of flights have been canceled and several states are calling in soldiers from the National Guard. The power outages are expected to last for several days and millions of people are being urged to stay indoors.
“Life-threatening risk”
In the wake of the storm, biting Arctic cold is coming down from the north. Combined with strong winds, the perceived temperature could drop below minus 45 degrees.
“This chilling effect poses a life-threatening risk of frostbite and frostbite to exposed skin, and the risks could be prolonged and exacerbated by power outages. Low temperatures are expected to continue into February across much of the eastern two-thirds of the United States,” the NWS wrote.
Several states have already requested federal assistance, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has activated a national emergency response team that is ready to send out generators, food boxes, water, blankets and other essentials.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani held a press conference on Friday advising residents to stay indoors as the storm hits at its peak on Sunday.
“I want to urge New Yorkers to do something we don’t usually have the luxury of doing, which is to take a deep breath and stay home. Watch the worst reality show on TV and stay off the roads,” he said.
“Exploding trees”
The cold and ice formation can in some places lead to what several media outlets call “exploding trees.” This means that they are frost-cracked from the inside.
– Water expands when it freezes, and this can usually happen during very, very drastic temperature drops, Doug Aubrey, a forestry professor at the University of Georgia, told CNN.
When the wood and bark crack, there can sometimes be a loud bang that some perceive as an explosion.
– It’s more like the sound of a gunshot, a really loud bang, John Seiler, another forestry professor, told the television channel.
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