A wave of snow, ice, winds, and dropping temperatures created hazardous travel conditions across central and southern USA, stretching to the eastern coasts of the country, forcing the closure of schools and government institutions in several states.
Snow and ice covered major roads in Kansas, western Nebraska, and parts of Indiana, where the state’s National Guard was activated to assist travelers stranded in vehicles. Snowfall was expected to reach at least 20 centimeters, accompanied by strong winds of up to 72 km/h.
The National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings from Kansas to Missouri and New Jersey.
“Some areas in this region that will see the largest amounts of snow could experience their heaviest snowfall in at least a decade,” the weather service said.
The polar vortex, an extremely cold air mass that typically circulates around the North Pole, causes intense cold when its air currents shift southward, affecting people in the United States, Europe, and Asia.
Studies indicate that rapid warming in the Arctic is partially responsible for the increasing frequency of the polar vortex expanding its icy impact.
School Closures
On Monday, schools were widely closed. Regions in Indiana, Virginia, and Kentucky announced school cancellations on Sunday afternoon.
Public schools in Kentucky canceled classes, extracurricular activities, and sports for nearly 100,000 students.
Schools also closed in Maryland, where Governor Wes Moore declared a state of emergency on Sunday and announced that state institutions would be closed on Monday.
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