Residents along the East Coast are preparing for a significant winter storm that is expected to bring several inches of snow followed by dangerously cold temperatures. Winter storm warnings have been issued for parts of the Mid-Atlantic and New England, with forecasts predicting up to 10 inches of snow in some areas.
As many as 70 million residents are under winter storm hazard warnings, including major cities like Philadelphia, New York, and Boston. Hazardous road conditions are expected along the I-95 corridor, with cold temperatures making travel conditions even more challenging.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has urged residents to use public transportation and offered assistance for those in need during the frigid weather. Warming centers have been opened in various cities and towns to protect people from the freezing temperatures.
Following the snowstorm, a blast of Arctic air will sweep across much of the Eastern half of the United States, bringing some of the coldest temperatures in recent years. Temperatures are expected to drop significantly, with wind chills reaching as low as minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas.
The cold weather has prompted adjustments, such as moving events indoors, like President-elect Donald Trump's inaugural ceremony in Washington, D.C. The cold snap is attributed to a disruption in the polar vortex, causing the cold air to move southward and eastward.
In addition to the cold temperatures, a wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain is forecasted for the South early this week. States like Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi are preparing for the unusual weather conditions, with governors issuing states of emergency and urging residents to stay informed.
