More than 110 million people are under wind chill warnings due to the record-breaking low temperatures. The cause is the arctic blast linked to a piece of the polar vortex that is causing subzero temperatures across the country.
Similarly, the National Weather Service (NWS) explained on its X (formerly Twitter) account that "Many spots across the southern U.S. awoke to dangerous, sub-zero wind chills, and NWS Wind Chill products in effect for 25 states. If you're in an impacted area, avoid outside activities if possible, and when outside, make sure you wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves."
Many spots across the southern US awoke to dangerous, sub-zero wind chills, and NWS Wind Chill products in effect for 25 states.
If you're in an impacted area, avoid outside activities if possible, and when outside, make sure you wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves. pic.twitter.com/OhnUReEJSU
— National Weather Service (@NWS) January 14, 2024
The weather agency explained that "cold entrenched over the U.S, as sub-zero air temperatures and even colder wind chills prevail through tomorrow before another Arctic blast arrives late this week."
Two people lost their lives in Oregon as a result of the storm on Saturday. The first died after a burning tree fell on a caravan carrying four people and the second died after a large tree fell on the second floor of a house.
The storms left about 550,000 people without power on Saturday, although on Sunday, incidents were reduced to about 260,000. According to poweroutage.us, most of the outages were in Oregon.
79% of the country is dealing with low temperatures
About 75% of the country is expected to see below-freezing temperatures and more than 140 cold records could be broken from Oregon to Mississippi. "Temperatures in Memphis, Dallas and Nashville are expected to remain below freezing for at least 72 consecutive hours. The coldest Iowa caucuses on record are forecast Monday, with below-zero high temperatures and wind chills in the minus 30s expected."
The National Meteorological Service also indicated that those known as Quad Cities (four cities in Iowa and Illinois: Davenport and Bettendorf in southeastern Iowa, and Rock Island, Moline, and East Moline in northwestern Illinois) experienced their snowiest week since records began in 1884.
The NWS posted on its X (formerly Twitter) account, "Two significant winter storms just four days apart were the culprits. Congratulations (?) Moline, Davenport, Bettendorf, & Rock Island!"
The Quad Cities just went through the snowiest week on record. 😯 Records date back to 1884.
Two significant winter storms just four days apart were the culprits.
Congratulations (?) Moline, Davenport, Bettendorf, & Rock Island! ❄️❄️
And you as well Dubuque! ❄️❄️ #IAwx #ILwx pic.twitter.com/ZVXeoecezl
— NWS Quad Cities (@NWSQuadCities) January 14, 2024
Canada is experiencing a similar situation. The Canadian Meteorological Agency said that despite slightly warmer temperatures in some cities, a dangerous cold warning remains in effect. Highs of just -6ºF are forecast for Edmonton and Calgary on Monday, according to The Globe and Mail.
