NORFOLK, Va. — A frigid polar vortex has led to subzero temperatures affecting some of the southernmost regions in the U.S., raising the likelihood of snow in parts of Texas and Oklahoma in the coming days, coupled with a significant power outage in Virginia’s capital, which has rendered the drinking water unsafe.
The extreme cold that swept across large parts of the eastern U.S. since the weekend resulted in numerous vehicle accidents, thousands of canceled and delayed flights, and prompted some communities to establish emergency warming shelters, including a roller rink and a local city council venue in Providence, Rhode Island.
As the icy front shifted southward, it urged a cold weather advisory for Gulf Coast areas, and temperatures in El Paso, Texas, dipped to 31 degrees Fahrenheit (-0.5 Celsius). The expected wind chill was projected to feel like 0 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 to -9 Celsius) early Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.
Road maintenance crews in Kansas City, which recently faced about 11 inches (28 centimeters) of snow, struggled to keep roads safe and passable.
The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, shared a message on Facebook, expressing their frustration with public expectations regarding snow removal: “Superpowers aren’t part of our snow removal teams, and two continuous days of snow and ice won’t melt away overnight.”
In northern Virginia, resident Carol Grayson lamented her choice of a plastic shovel while trying to create a path for her pets amid nearly knee-deep frozen snow, comparing the task to “climbing Mount Everest.” With older teenagers who once offered assistance now moved away, she remarked, “We are not prepared for this.”
The polar vortex, a mass of extreme cold air typically found around the North Pole, sometimes shifts south, affecting regions across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Experts suggest that these cold outbreaks may be occurring more frequently due to climate change.
While areas in the north and east worked to clear the snow and ice, communities in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas readied themselves for their own winter challenges. A low-pressure system is anticipated to form as soon as Wednesday near South Texas, potentially bringing several inches of snow to Dallas and the lower Mississippi Valley, according to weather reports.
With expectations of 1 to 3 inches (about 3 to 8 centimeters) of snow on Thursday, along with sleet and rain, road crews in Dallas are taking precautions. National Weather Service meteorologist Sam Shamburger noted there could be up to 5 inches (13 centimeters) in regions near the Oklahoma border. Kevin Oden, Dallas’ emergency management director, mentioned the city is currently in a state of preparedness.
The impending storm also raised concerns about hazardous driving conditions for an estimated 75,000 fans traveling to the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington for a game between Texas and Ohio State. Arlington officials confirmed that equipment and materials were ready for quick deployment to address any dangerous road conditions.
As the cold wave hit, parts of southeastern Georgia and northern Florida experienced unexpected freezing conditions overnight into Tuesday, with freeze warnings extending to Wednesday.
In northern Florida, local growers are worried about their fern crops, important for upcoming floral arrangements with Valentine’s Day on the horizon. Fortunately, the risk for damage to citrus trees, which occur at temperatures of 28 degrees Fahrenheit (-2 degrees Celsius) for several hours, seems low as most commercial citrus groves lie further south.
An area stretching from the central Plains to the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic regions is expected to receive additional snow and ice in the coming days, which could cause the already accumulated snow to melt and subsequently freeze, creating hazardous black ice on roadways.
Truck drivers faced challenges too, as a truck stop in Kentucky swelled with large vehicles forced to stop off snow-covered Interstate 75 near Cincinnati. Long-haul driver Michael Taylor described the dangerous scene he encountered while tackling treacherous conditions, stating, “I didn’t want to kill myself or anyone else.”
Virginia, Indiana, Kansas, and Kentucky reported hundreds of vehicle accidents due to the severe weather, with Virginia State Police responding to over 650 incidents, leading to three fatalities. Accidents linked to the weather were also reported in West Virginia and North Carolina.
Airline operations were heavily impacted, with more than 1,000 flight delays out of the U.S. by Tuesday morning and over 2,300 cancellations the previous day. At least 9,100 additional flights faced delays.
As temperatures dropped, many found themselves without electricity. Reports indicated that around 200,000 customers in states like Kentucky, Indiana, Virginia, West Virginia, Illinois, and Missouri lacked power.
A weather-related power failure in Richmond, Virginia, caused disruption to the local water system, leading officials to issue a boil-water advisory for over 200,000 residents. Mayor Danny Avula mentioned that the advisory might be rescinded as early as Wednesday as efforts to restore the system are underway.
The malfunction also resulted in the closure of Virginia’s Capitol and General Assembly buildings just prior to the commencement of the legislative session. G. Paul Nardo, the clerk for the House of Delegates, notified lawmakers to stay away from the buildings due to the loss of water pressure.
