National Weather Service
How severe is the current winter storm according to the National Weather Service?
The National Weather Service has issued a critical warning about a winter storm carrying arctic air that poses extreme danger. Wind chill factors are expected to plummet to as low as -60°F (-51°C) in Montana and North Dakota, creating potentially life-threatening conditions across these regions. This severe weather system is part of a larger pattern affecting the central and eastern United States, bringing record cold temperatures that demand immediate precautionary measures. The arctic air mass represents one of the most dangerous cold weather events in recent years for these areas.
Watch clip answer (00:16m)What is the current impact of the winter storms affecting the central and eastern United States?
The winter storms ravaging the central and eastern United States have resulted in a death toll of at least 14 people. The severe weather system has brought floods, gale force winds, and dangerously cold temperatures throughout the region. According to the National Weather Service, the storm is carrying arctic air that could create record cold conditions, with wind chills expected to plummet as low as -60°F (-51°C), particularly affecting states like Montana and North Dakota. These extreme conditions pose significant life-threatening risks to residents in the affected areas.
Watch clip answer (00:30m)What impact is the severe winter storm having across the United States?
The severe winter storm is causing widespread disruption across the United States, with the death toll reaching at least 14 people. The National Weather Service has warned about dangerously low temperatures affecting multiple regions, from the Central Plains and Eastern Seaboard to as far south as the Gulf Coast. Power infrastructure has been severely impacted, with more than 50,000 customers still without electricity in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, despite some restoration efforts. As arctic air continues to move southward, authorities are concerned about the potential for additional casualties and are emphasizing the urgent need for adequate shelter during these extreme weather conditions.
Watch clip answer (00:22m)What is causing the extreme cold warnings affecting millions of people across the United States?
The extreme cold warnings affecting over 87 million people across 22 states are being caused by a polar vortex. This weather phenomenon refers to super cold air that normally swirls over Earth's poles but can escape and make areas extremely frigid when it moves southward. According to the National Weather Service, this polar vortex is triggering massive temperature drops, with wind chills potentially reaching 60 degrees below zero in northern states and even southern states experiencing wind chills in the teens. Additionally, a snowstorm is expected to develop near the Rockies and move eastward throughout the week.
Watch clip answer (00:31m)What is the scope and impact of the current winter storm affecting the United States?
The massive winter storm is currently affecting 100 million Americans across 25 states, creating widespread alerts throughout the country. The storm is bringing snow and ice to a vast geographical area stretching from Montana down to Texas and extending all the way to the mid-Atlantic and East Coast regions. This severe weather system is moving in a pattern that covers much of the continental United States, resulting in dangerous winter conditions that have prompted officials to issue alerts and warnings. The extensive reach of this storm makes it a significant weather event affecting nearly one-third of the American population.
Watch clip answer (00:08m)What is the path and timeline of the winter storm affecting millions of Americans?
The winter storm is moving from Oklahoma City to Virginia Beach with warnings posted along this route. After dropping 4-5 inches in northeastern Oklahoma and Arkansas, the storm will track along I-40 tonight, reaching Nashville in the early morning hours. By afternoon, it will blast eastward toward Norfolk and Virginia Beach, with areas north and east of Raleigh experiencing sleet and freezing rain problems. The storm brings challenging travel conditions, particularly along I-95. While most of the storm's activity will be gone by Thursday, it will leave behind record cold temperatures affecting a wide area from Baton Rouge up to Omaha.
Watch clip answer (00:35m)