Severe snow, ice and Arctic cold leave millions without power, disrupt travel nationwide and raise fears of another storm in U.S.
A massive winter storm continued to grip the United States, killing at least 30 people as freezing temperatures, heavy snow and ice affected large parts of the country. Many Americans spent another night in bitter cold without electricity after the storm dumped fresh snow in the Northeast and coated much of the South in ice.
Authorities confirmed deaths in several states hit by extreme weather. Officials warned the death toll could rise as investigations continue and freezing conditions persist.
Heavy Snow Halts Life
Meanwhile, deep snow brought daily life to a standstill across a vast region. More than a foot of snow fell across a 2,100-kilometre stretch from Arkansas to New England. As a result, traffic slowed or stopped, flights were cancelled, and schools shut down in many states.
The National Weather Service reported that locations north of Pittsburgh had gotten up to 20 inches of snow. At the same time, wind chills dropped as low as minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit, making conditions extremely dangerous from late Monday into Tuesday.
Freezing Cold Stays
Although the main storm system moved east, the danger did not end. Instead, bitter Arctic air settled over nearly two thirds of the country. Weather officials said a fresh surge of Arctic air would keep temperatures below freezing in areas already buried under snow and ice.
In addition, forecasters warned that another winter storm could possibly hit parts of the East Coast this weekend, adding to ongoing concerns.
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Deaths Linked To Storm
As conditions worsened, storm-related deaths were reported across several states. In Massachusetts and Ohio, snowplows struck and killed two people. In Arkansas and Texas, teenagers died in separate sledding accidents during unsafe conditions.
In Kansas, police found a woman dead in the snow after she was last seen leaving a bar without her coat or phone. In New York City, officials said eight people were found dead outdoors during the frigid weekend, although the exact causes were still under investigation.
Officials also reported four deaths in Tennessee, three deaths each in Louisiana and Pennsylvania, two in Mississippi, and one each in New Jersey, South Carolina and Kentucky.
Widespread Power Cuts
At the same time, power outages affected large parts of the country. By Monday evening, more than 560,000 customers remained without electricity nationwide. Most outages occurred in the South, where freezing rain caused trees and power lines to snap.
Officials warned that restoring power could take several days, especially in areas with severe damage and ongoing freezing temperatures.
Mississippi Faces Ice Damage
In Mississippi, the situation was especially serious. State officials described the storm as the worst ice event since 1994. Governor Tate Reeves said at least 14 residences, one business, and 20 public roads were severely damaged.
As a result, authorities rushed cots, blankets, bottled water and generators to warming centres in hard-hit areas to help residents survive the cold.
Campus And City Impact
In Oxford, Mississippi, the University of Mississippi cancelled classes for the entire week as most students remained without power and the campus stayed covered in ice.
Oxford Mayor Robyn Tannehill said fallen trees, limbs and power lines were scattered everywhere, adding that it looked as if a tornado had passed through every street.
Local resident Tim Phillips, a real estate agent, said heavy tree branches damaged his new garage, broke a window and cut power to his home. He said he tried to prepare but described the storm as unreal.
Flights Disrupted Nationwide
Air travel also suffered major disruption. On Monday, more than 12,000 flights across the United States were delayed or cancelled, according to FlightAware.
The situation was even worse on Sunday, when about 45 percent of U.S. flights were cancelled. Aviation analytics firm Cirium said it was the highest cancellation rate since the COVID-19 pandemic. Major airports, including Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport, were badly affected, leaving planes and crews stranded and causing delays far beyond the storm zone.
Schools Move Online
In the Northeast, heavy snowfall forced school closures across several cities. New York City recorded its snowiest day in years, with many neighbourhoods seeing between 8 and 15 inches of snow.
Although schools closed their buildings, around 500,000 students attended online classes. The shift reflected changes made after the pandemic, as traditional snow days were largely replaced by remote learning.
Coldest Temperatures In Years
Behind the storm, extreme cold spread across the Midwest, South and Northeast. Many communities woke up to subzero temperatures on Monday. Forecasters said the entire Lower 48 states were expected to record their coldest average low temperature of minus 9.8 degrees Fahrenheit since January 2014.
The prolonged cold increased the risk of hypothermia and frostbite, especially for people without power or proper heating.
Families Seek Shelter
In the Nashville area, electricity returned to thousands of homes and businesses on Monday. However, about 146,000 people were still without power by evening after another freezing night.
As a result, many residents booked hotel rooms to escape dark and cold homes. Hotels quickly filled up. Alex Murray said he booked a hotel room for his family so they could keep breast milk frozen for their six-month-old daughter. Expecting delays in power restoration, he planned to extend the stay through Wednesday.
He said his family was fortunate, adding that many people might not have the means to travel or afford a hotel.
Cold Not Over Yet
As of now officials confirmed at least 30 storm-related deaths, thousands of power outages and continued travel disruptions. At the same time, meteorologists stressed that the cold weather was far from over.
With Arctic air expected to linger and another possible storm ahead, authorities urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel, stay warm, check on vulnerable people and follow local safety warnings as winter conditions continue to challenge much of the nation.
