Perilously cold temperatures threatened millions of Americans on Monday following a massive winter storm that has left at least 23 people dead, knocked out power to hundreds of thousands, and severely disrupted transportation across large parts of the United States.
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A dangerous Arctic air mass is expected to slow recovery efforts as communities from New Mexico to Maine work to clear heavy snow, ice and debris. The storm brought a severe mix of snowfall, freezing rain, sleet and powerful winds.
The National Weather Service warned that much of the northern half of the country could experience temperatures remaining below freezing through February 1, while record-low temperatures across the South posed heightened risks for residents still without electricity.
Although skies began clearing in some areas, relentless snowfall continued in the Northeast. Parts of Connecticut recorded more than 22 inches of snow, while Boston received over 16 inches.
Authorities linked at least 23 deaths to the storm, citing causes including hypothermia and accidents involving traffic, sledding, ATVs and snowplows. In New York City, eight additional deaths were reported amid plunging temperatures, with investigations underway to determine whether they were storm-related.
Power restoration efforts continued, but more than 550,000 customers remained without electricity by Monday evening, according to Poweroutage.com. Southern states such as Tennessee, Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana — regions less accustomed to extreme winter weather — were among the hardest hit.
The National Weather Service said nearly 190 million people across the country were under some form of extreme cold alert. In parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin, temperatures dropped as low as minus 23 degrees Fahrenheit, with wind chills making conditions even more dangerous.
Over the weekend, nearly half of the contiguous United States received at least a foot of snow, with New Mexico’s Bonito Lake reporting the highest total at 31 inches. Officials in Nashville said falling ice-laden trees continued to damage power lines, even in areas where service had already been restored.
Emergency warming shelters were opened in multiple cities as authorities declared states of emergency in at least 20 states and Washington, D.C., allowing rapid deployment of personnel and resources. Thousands of flights, along with bus and train services, were cancelled due to impassable roads and poor visibility.
Meteorologists said the storm was fueled by a stretched polar vortex, which allowed Arctic air to plunge southward across North America. Scientists note that such disruptions may be occurring more frequently, potentially linked to climate change, though natural variability also plays a role.
