A brutal cold wave has swept across the central and northern US, bringing life-threatening temperatures, snowstorms, and deadly floods. The extreme weather, caused by a polar vortex, has already led to at least 13 deaths and widespread disruption.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued extreme cold warnings from the Canadian border down to Texas. Wind chills dropped to -60°F (-51°C) in North Dakota and -50°F (-46°C) in Montana on Monday, with even colder conditions forecast for Tuesday.
As per predictions, the temperature in North Dakota could be around -21°C to -28°C on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Montana could face temperatures around -20°C to -27°C.
Millions are experiencing freezing temperatures, with Oklahoma and Texas bracing for near-record lows. The NWS has warned of frostbite and hypothermia risks, urging people to limit outdoor exposure.
North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong has waived service requirements for drivers delivering propane and petroleum products due to heating fuel shortages.
Flooding devastates Kentucky and Appalachia
Severe weekend storms in Kentucky and Tennessee dumped up to six inches (15 cm) of rain, triggering deadly floods. According to AP, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed 11 deaths, nine of them flood-related. Two additional deaths resulted from vehicle accidents. In West Virginia, Governor Patrick Morrisey has requested federal disaster assistance after floods ravaged 13 counties.
Flood warnings remain in effect across Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, West Virginia, Virginia, and Ohio.
In Atlanta, a person died after a falling tree crushed a home during the storm.
Blizzards and icy conditions have made travel hazardous in large parts of Michigan and Nebraska. A Nebraska state trooper died on Monday while responding to a crash on Interstate 80, authorities confirmed. Meanwhile, Colorado has reported eight weather-related deaths since Valentine’s Day.
Avalanche warnings are in place for Colorado, Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming. The Mount Washington Avalanche Center in New Hampshire rescued two climbers after an avalanche buried one of them.
In southwest Detroit, a nearly century-old water main burst, flooding streets and homes under several feet of water. Firefighters rescued stranded residents, including one person trapped on a car roof. The Great Lakes Water Authority is working to contain the damage, though the cause remains unclear.
What is a Polar Vortex?
A polar vortex is a large circular air pattern in the Arctic, typically keeping frigid air trapped near the North Pole. However, disruptions in the vortex can push this cold air south, leading to extreme winter events in the US and Europe.
Scientists suggest that climate change may be increasing the frequency of these disruptions. While this winter has seen record-breaking cold, global temperatures continue to rise, with January marking the 18th month in 19 to exceed the internationally agreed 1.5°C warming threshold.
Authorities have urged caution, advising people to stay indoors, check on vulnerable neighbours and bring pets inside to prevent frostbite and exposure-related deaths.