Winter Storms
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
How does the polar vortex impact Americans throughout the states?
The polar vortex has widespread impacts on Americans, disrupting daily life through school cancellations and work disruptions across the country. Particularly concerning are the anticipated spikes in electric bills due to extreme heating needs during record-breaking temperatures, with some areas experiencing feels-like temperatures of negative 64 degrees in Montana. The meteorologist emphasizes that these temperatures are abnormal for this time of year, creating unusual challenges for residents. The severe cold has transformed routine activities into potential hazards, affecting millions of Americans who must cope with this extraordinary winter weather event.
Watch clip answer (00:21m)CBS News
02:43 - 03:04
What happened during the crash landing of Delta Flight 4819?
During the crash landing, the plane hit the runway extremely hard and began leaning to the left. The aircraft then skidded on its side before flipping completely upside down and bursting into flames. John Nelson, a passenger, described feeling intense heat through the glass windows as a 'giant firewall' formed along the side of the plane. The impact was so severe that the tail and one of the wings were completely torn off the aircraft. Despite the catastrophic nature of the crash, emergency responders including air traffic controllers, paramedics, and firefighters quickly sprang into action, helping ensure the evacuation of all passengers and crew.
Watch clip answer (00:36m)
Philip DeFranco
00:37 - 01:13