Deadly Arctic Blast and Snowstorm Cripple Vast Regions of the United States

A catastrophic winter storm fueled by a powerful Arctic blast has struck extensive parts of the United States, prompting emergency declarations across 14 states and Washington, D.C.

Meteorologists from the Weather Prediction Center have labeled this the most severe storm of the season, warning that the combination of heavy snowfall, freezing rain, and high winds could become life-threatening even in typically warmer regions. With temperatures in the Northern Plains plummeting below $-50due to wind chill, the risk of hypothermia is at a critical level. Major airlines have already issued flight cancellation warnings, and authorities are bracing for long-term power outages as ice accumulation threatens infrastructure from the Rockies to the Atlantic coast.The severity of the situation has led to significant mobilization in major cities, with Washington D.C. requesting National Guard assistance and New York City deploying massive snow removal teams. In Texas, the memory of the 2021 deadly freeze looms large as forecasters warn of dangerous icing in Dallas, although energy grid operators claim they are better prepared this time. Experts explain that the storm’s intensity is the result of moisture from the Pacific and the Gulf of Mexico colliding with frigid southward winds. As temperatures drop to single digits in places like Oklahoma City, residents are being urged to prepare for multi-day blackouts and avoid unnecessary travel during this record-breaking weather event.