Snow blankets majority of US as intense winter storm wreaks havoc

Winter storm is expected to intensify further bringing power outages, destruction, travel disruptions and more

Web Desk

January 10, 2024

A person walks across the empty street during the first winter storm of 2024 which is expected to bring heavy snowfall across the northeast United States, in Worcester, Massachusetts, US, on January 7, 2024. — Reuters

A monstrous winter storm made its way across the eastern half of the United States on Tuesday, resulting in the loss of four lives and over 600,000 power outages across the country.

Additionally, travel plans have been disrupted ahead of an expected brutal freeze that is anticipated to blanket the region starting this weekend, Axios reported.

The storm managed to set a record for the lowest atmospheric pressure in Indianapolis in January.

According to the financial firm London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), we can expect this storm to be followed by what will probably be the nation's "coldest weather since December 2022".

Daniel Henderson clears snow from his driveway after a winter storm passed in Waukee, Iowa, US, on January 9, 2024. — Reuters

Wind speeds are expected to reach record-breaking intensities, possibly exceeding 100mph at 1,000 to 4,000 feet above the surface in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.

This could lead to widespread power outages, which have already affected over 600,000 customers across the US overnight, including nearly 190,000 in New York, according to PowerOutage.us.

As a result of the storm, more than 3,100 flights were delayed and over 1,000 were cancelled early Wednesday, following thousands of delays and cancellations the previous day, per FlightAware.

Roadways across the US were closed from Tuesday into Wednesday due to extreme weather, including high winds on Maryland's Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

A person walks dogs across a road while cars drive by as it snows in Des Moines, Iowa, US, on January 8, 2024. — Reuters

Schools in Charlotte, Raleigh, and DC closed early due to flash flood and wind threats. Closures extended into the Carolinas and south to Florida, Axios reported. Meanwhile, schools in New York and New Jersey announced later openings due to flooding and power outage threats.

The National Weather Service's (NWS) Weather Prediction Center noted the storm that's "producing a multitude of significant impacts from the Midwest to the East Coast" would carry over into Wednesday.

There's a "moderate risk" that excessive rainfall would lead to flash and river flooding from Richmond to Boston, per the NWS.

Tornado watches were in effect from Virginia to Tampa, Florida, with at least 15 reported as of early Wednesday. Another powerful winter storm is forecast for late this week into the weekend, followed by a major Arctic outbreak.