Major Winter Storm Hits the United States
A major winter storm has recently struck the United States, prompting an emergency declaration across numerous states. The storm began affecting Texas and New Mexico on Saturday and is expected to move northeast through Monday.
Severe Weather Forecast
The National Weather Service (NWS) has warned of substantial snowfall and potentially catastrophic ice accumulations. There are also predictions of dangerously cold winds affecting areas from the Central Plains to the Northeast and the Great Lakes region.
Impact on Texas
- Dallas experienced a temperature drop to -6°C.
- By Saturday, the city anticipated freezing rain and sleet.
- Conditions rapidly worsened overnight across northern Texas.
Houston, another major Texas city, is bracing for adverse weather as well. Mayor John Whitmire mentioned that local residents should be prepared for a significant storm, one of the most severe many have ever faced.
Emergency Preparations
Authorities have opened shelters, particularly for the homeless, and assured residents about the reliability of the electric grid, which faced challenges during the last major winter storm in 2021.
Federal Response
President Donald Trump has approved emergency declarations for South Carolina and Virginia, enabling quicker deployment of resources from FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He encouraged residents to remain safe and warm as the storm approaches.
Travel Disruptions
- On Saturday, nearly 3,400 flights were canceled in the United States.
- More than 6,000 flight cancellations were reported for Sunday.
Climate Discussion
As this storm unfolded, President Trump used his True Social platform to express skepticism about climate change, prompting discussions on the relation between winter storms and climate dynamics. Scientists have noted that disturbances in the polar vortex, which leads arctic air masses to flow into the continental U.S., have become more frequent over the past two decades. These shifts could potentially be linked to the rapid warming of the Arctic, though more data is needed to confirm a direct connection.
