December 22, 2022
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All US states and parts of southern Canada will experience the coldest Christmas in 40 years
A powerful arctic winter storm sweeps through the United States and parts of Canada, dropping temperatures and canceling flights ahead of the busiest travel days of the year.
More than 100 million people in the United States are under winter weather warnings and snow conditions are expected to wreak havoc on travel this weekend.
Major airports have already canceled flights in anticipation of the storm.
The cold spell could lead to the lowest temperatures in decades this Christmas, forecasters predict.
The National Weather Service (NWS) said freezing temperatures of 45C and 56C are possible by the end of this week in some parts of the country.
Arctic air masses are thought to reach as far as the border with Mexico, where strong gusts of wind will drop the temperature in El Paso, Texas, to 9.4C.
Even Florida, which ranks as the sunniest US state, is expected to have its coldest Christmas in 30 years.
The NWS described the winter weather phenomenon as “once in a generation,” especially as the storm hits the Great Lakes region, where its pressure is expected to reach the equivalent of a Category 3 hurricane.
Forecasters say the winter storm could become a “bomb cyclone” an unofficial term for a specific type of storm that develops strong and fast by Friday (12/23).
The storm also brings snow and strong winds that are expected to cause damage and power outages throughout the Midwest and Canada.
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The storm is expected to bring strong winds and large amounts of snow.
falling temperatures
The weather phenomenon is already being felt by millions of people when storms and freezing cold move east:
Temperatures in Colorado fell to a record low of 23°C on Thursday (December 22). In the meantime, temperatures in Wyoming have dropped to 37°C.
Meteorologists are also expecting heavy snowfall in Chicago with wind gusts of up to 80 km/h.
In Canada, much of Ontario and parts of Quebec are also preparing for a major winter storm on Thursday, which is expected to last through the Christmas weekend and bring “strong and potentially damaging winds,” the service National Weather Canada said.
Interrupted trips
The storm came during the busiest travel days of the year. The Transportation Security Administration, the government agency that oversees transportation systems in the United States, said it expects vacation travel volumes to be near prepandemic levels.
More than 2,200 flights scheduled for Thursday and Friday have already been canceled, according to flighttracking website FlightAware.
In anticipation of travel disruptions, major airlines have offered fee waivers to those looking to rebook their flights.
Snow and icy roads will also wreak havoc on road trips this weekend.
Freeways along the border between Colorado and Wyoming were closed on Wednesday (December 21) due to nearzero visibility.
More than 100 cars were stuck on snowcovered roads in South Dakota on Wednesday, prompting rescue efforts. The airport in the state capital was also closed.
The American Automobile Association estimates that more than 112 million people will travel 50 miles or more between Friday and Jan. 2, the vast majority 102 million by car.
“We had a great Thanksgiving week with minimal disruption,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told MSNBC on Wednesday. “Unfortunately, that won’t be the case at Christmas.”
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Storm caused flight delays and cancellations
state of emergency declared
The governors of Kentucky, North Carolina, Georgia and Oklahoma declared states of emergency.
Other states, like Maryland, initiated emergency operations ahead of the storm, while others opened shelters. In Colorado, the Denver Coliseum, an indoor arena, was converted into a reception center.
On Thursday, President Joe Biden said his office has reached out to the governors of 26 affected states and that the federal government stands ready to offer assistance if needed.
He also encouraged people to avoid travel if conditions worsen. “Please take this storm very seriously,” Biden said.
What is a bomb cyclone?
Bomb cyclone is a term for a rapidly intensifying storm in which central barometric pressure drops by at least 24 millibars in 24 hours.
They are called bomb cyclones because of the explosive force created by the rapid drop in pressure.
Such storms bring weather ranging from snowstorms to severe thunderstorms and precipitation.
Bomb hurricanes are most common on the East Coast of the United States and Canada, where the cold land and warm Gulf Stream provide ideal conditions for their development.