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Snow covers most of US as intense winter storm wreaks havoc

Snow covers most of US as intense winter storm wreaks havoc

The winter storm is expected to intensify further, causing power outages, destruction, travel disruptions and more.

A person crosses an empty street during the first winter storm of 2024 that is expected to bring heavy snow across the northeastern United States, in Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S., on Jan. 7, 2024. – Reuters

A monster winter storm hit the eastern half of the United States on Tuesday, causing the loss of four lives and more than 600,000 power outages across the country.

Additionally, travel plans have been disrupted ahead of a brutal freeze that is expected to blanket the region starting this weekend. axios reported.

The storm managed to set a record for lowest atmospheric pressure in Indianapolis in January.

According to financial firm London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), we can expect this storm to be followed by what will likely be the country's “coldest weather” since December 2022.

Daniel Henderson clears snow from his driveway after a winter storm passed through in Waukee, Iowa, U.S., on January 9, 2024. – Reuters

Wind speeds are expected to reach record intensities, possibly exceeding 100 mph at between 1,000 and 4,000 feet above the surface in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.

This could lead to widespread power outages, which have already affected more than 600,000 customers across the United States overnight, including nearly 190,000 in New York, according to PowerOutage.us.

As a result of the storm, more than 3,100 flights were delayed and more than 1,000 were canceled early Wednesday, following thousands of delays and cancellations the day before, according to Flight reported.

Roads across the United States were closed Tuesday through Wednesday due to extreme weather, including high winds at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in Maryland.

A person walks dogs on a road as cars pass by as it snows in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S., on Jan. 8, 2024. – Reuters

Schools in Charlotte, Raleigh and DC closed early due to threats of flash flooding and winds. The closures extended to the Carolinas and South Florida, Axios reported. Meanwhile, schools in New York and New Jersey announced later openings due to threats of flooding and power outages.

The National Weather Service's (NWS) Weather Prediction Center said the storm that is “producing a multitude of significant impacts from the Midwest to the East Coast” would last through Wednesday.

There is a “moderate risk” that excessive rainfall will cause flash flooding and river flooding from Richmond to Boston, according to the NWS.

Tornado warnings were in effect from Virginia to Tampa, Florida, with at least 15 reported early Wednesday. Another powerful winter storm is forecast for later this week and into the weekend, followed by a major outbreak in the Arctic.