In brief
A powerful winter storm known as a bomb cyclone has plunged a vast area of the eastern United States into an icy grip, with record-low temperatures resulting in snow in southern states, widespread power outages, and travel chaos with nearly 5,000 flight cancellations. Meteorologists have announced about 150 million residents on alert as the harsh winter conditions are expected to continue into the week.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A significant cold front has blanketed a large portion of the U.S., stretching from the Gulf Coast to New England, as a bomb cyclone wreaks havoc with heavy snowfall, frigid temperatures, and hundreds of flight cancellations. North Carolina has been particularly hard hit with nearly a foot of snow, while flurries were reported as far south as Florida, where iguanas were found frozen in motionless states on the ground.
Approximately 150 million individuals are currently under cold weather advisories, with dangerously low wind chills influencing conditions in the southern states. Meteorologist Peter Mullinax from the weather prediction center noted that parts of South Florida are experiencing the coldest weather since 1989, with temperatures dipping into the 20s and 30s.
Charlotte, North Carolina, has seen one of its top-five snowfalls on record as the storm ravaged the region, leading to over 2,800 flight cancellations on Saturday and another 1,500 cancellations on Sunday, affecting travel at major hubs like Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
The adverse weather has not only caused travel disruptions; it has also resulted in severe power outages. As of Sunday, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Florida were struggling to restore power to over 100,000 customers after the ice and snow from last weekend's storm.
With temperatures remaining perilously low, officials are monitoring the situation closely. Reports indicate that the harsh weather could last several days, with additional snowfall expected later in the week across parts of the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic regions. Authorities urge residents to stay safe and avoid unnecessary travel.
