Severe Weather Alerts
How long will the extreme cold temperatures last, and what changes are expected in the coming days?
The extreme cold temperatures affecting regions like Wichita, Kansas City, and Oklahoma City are showing signs of change in the next 6-10 days. According to the Climate Prediction Center, temperatures will return to normal along the East Coast, with areas from the Dakotas down to Texas expected to be above normal. This marks a significant shift from current conditions where temperatures are running as much as 40 degrees below normal, potentially breaking records for cold highs. Meanwhile, Miami is predicted to cool down slightly. This warming trend indicates the polar vortex's grip will loosen, bringing relief to the millions currently affected by the unusual winter weather.
Watch clip answer (00:32m)
CBS News
04:38 - 05:10
What severe weather conditions are affecting millions of Americans according to meteorologist Jess?
Millions of Americans are experiencing dual weather threats: extreme chilly temperatures across much of the country and a significant winter storm. This storm has particularly impacted areas from Tennessee up through Kentucky, causing extreme flooding conditions. The cold weather appears to be part of a polar vortex system extending from the Dakotas to Texas, creating hazardous conditions that have disrupted daily life with school cancellations and transportation difficulties. These severe weather patterns have broken temperature records and raised concerns about rising energy costs as communities struggle with the widespread winter weather event.
Watch clip answer (00:10m)
CBS News
04:17 - 04:28
What are the current weather conditions in the U.S. due to the polar vortex?
A polar vortex is sweeping across the U.S., bringing extremely cold temperatures from the Dakotas to the Mexican border. 'Feels like' temperatures have plummeted to -4°F in North Dakota and 14°F in Dallas as the afternoon approaches. This cold surge is affecting a vast region, moving southward through multiple states. According to meteorologist Jess, this polar vortex is expected to last for at least another day, continuing to impact daily life across these regions with record-low temperatures.
Watch clip answer (00:29m)CBS News
03:04 - 03:34
What is the current state of Texas's energy grid during the cold snap?
Texas's energy grid is currently functioning well during the severe cold snap, with reporter Omar Villafranca confirming that "everything looks like it's running just fine." While neighboring states are preparing warming centers in case of power outages, Texas has not reported significant grid issues. The main concern now is the potential cost of energy consumption during this period. Texas operates on an unregulated energy market that Villafranca describes as "a little bit of the wild west" since it's not federally regulated. This could lead to higher energy bills for residents as demand increases during the extreme cold temperatures.
Watch clip answer (00:30m)
CBS News
01:36 - 02:07
How is the polar vortex affecting Middle America?
The polar vortex is bringing dangerous ice-cold temperatures and snowfall across Middle America, from Minneapolis down to Dallas. This severe weather system is affecting tens of millions of Americans who are now dealing with slick roads and freezing conditions. The impact extends across various parts of Middle America and even into the eastern part of the country, causing residents to bundle up as they navigate hazardous travel conditions. With temperatures dropping significantly, this winter storm has disrupted daily activities across multiple states.
Watch clip answer (00:16m)CBS News
00:00 - 00:16
How severe is the cold weather affecting Dallas, Texas?
Dallas is experiencing extreme cold conditions with temperatures at 19 degrees and feel-like temperatures of just 2 degrees. CBS correspondent Omar Villafranca reports that the situation is so severe that Dallas is actually colder than Reykjavik, Iceland and Anchorage, Alaska. This polar vortex has created brutal winter conditions across southern states, leading to icy roads, school cancellations, and concerns about energy costs on Texas's unregulated power grid.
Watch clip answer (00:24m)CBS News
00:21 - 00:45