On Saturday, road conditions deteriorated in the central U.S. as a mix of snow, ice, and plunging temperatures arrived, with forecasts indicating that this wintry mix would spread eastward in the days ahead. Bob Oravec, the lead forecaster at the National Weather Service in College Park, Maryland, proclaimed that winter had returned. The polar vortex, typically confined to the North Pole, occasionally escapes and extends its reach to regions like the U.S., Europe, or Asia, subjecting many to extreme cold. Studies suggest that the warming Arctic is partly to blame for the vortex’s expansion.
By Saturday evening, heavy snow was expected from central Kansas to Indiana, particularly along and north of Interstate 70, with potential accumulations of at least 8 inches. Parts of the interstate in central Kansas were closed due to the storm. The system was projected to move into the Ohio Valley, causing significant travel disruptions, before reaching the Mid-Atlantic states. Sub-freezing temperatures were even anticipated in Florida.
As the storm hit, car accidents began accumulating. In Kansas, a fire truck and multiple vehicles overturned, with tractor-trailers jackknifing and going off-road. Freezing rain in Wichita led to numerous crashes, prompting authorities to urge drivers to stay off the roads if possible. Missouri declared a state of emergency due to hazardous driving conditions.
Residents prepared for the storm by stocking up on essentials in Wichita, while warming centers were established in various locations. Several businesses closed in Kansas City, and schools in Independence considered canceling classes. Although not record-breaking, the cold temperatures caused issues, with Chicago experiencing teens, Minneapolis nearing zero, and International Falls, Minnesota plummeting to 14 below.
The storm’s impact extended southward, prompting Virginia’s governor to declare a state of emergency ahead of special elections. In Louisiana, efforts were underway to locate a manatee in Lake Pontchartrain before the cold snap hit. While manatees are common in the area during summer, winter sightings are concerning due to the risk of cold-related stress.
Symptoms may arise when the temperature drops below 68 degrees (20 Celsius). “We are taking all necessary steps to locate and assist this animal,” stated Gabriella Harlamert, the stranding and rehabilitation coordinator for Audubon Aquarium Rescue in New Orleans. For more climate-related coverage by the Associated Press, visit http://www.apnews.com/climate-and-environment. Reporting from Mission, Kansas is Hollingsworth, while Witte is reporting from Annapolis, Maryland. Andrew DeMillo contributed to this report from Little Rock, Arkansas.
