How severe is the polar vortex affecting the United States?

The polar vortex is causing extreme and dangerous weather conditions across 22 states, affecting over 87 million people. Wind chills in Montana plunged to a staggering minus 64 degrees on Tuesday, while a major winter storm is impacting southern regions with snow and sleet. The severe conditions have reached as far south as the Mexico border, with normally warmer areas like Fort Worth, Texas experiencing temperatures as low as 19 degrees. The sudden weather shift has led to treacherous road conditions, resulting in highway crashes in states like Arkansas, demonstrating the widespread impact of this extreme cold weather event.