Over the weekend, a storm hit the Midwest region of the United States, causing temperatures to plummet below zero degrees. On Sunday, December 14th, parts of the Northeast experienced heavy snowfall, leading to many airport delays and slippery roads. Meanwhile, the Northwest Pacific coastal areas saw more rainfall after days of flooding and mudslides.
The storm began on Saturday, bringing several inches of snow to the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area, marking the first significant snowfall of the season in the region. Some parts of New England also experienced light snow. The storm is expected to weaken by Sunday night, followed by a blast of Arctic cold, with wind chill temperatures dropping to zero or even lower (-18 degrees Celsius) overnight.
Workers and contractors in New Jersey are working tirelessly to clear the roads, with the state’s transportation department advising people to avoid unnecessary travel. The New York City Department of Health posted online that salt and snow plows are working throughout the night to clear the snow accumulation on roads and bike lanes. Pennsylvania has temporarily lowered the speed limit on interstate highways to 45 miles per hour (72 kilometers per hour).
Flight tracking website FlightAware data shows that over a thousand flights at U.S. airports were delayed and over a hundred flights were cancelled due to the weather conditions.
Meanwhile, a blast of Arctic air swept south from Canada affecting parts of the northern United States. The National Weather Service office in Chanhassen, Minnesota, stated that Sunday morning was the coldest of the winter season so far. Temperatures at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport dropped to -10 degrees Fahrenheit (-23 degrees Celsius), with some communities in Minnesota experiencing temperatures as low as -22 degrees Fahrenheit (-30 degrees Celsius).
The Northwest Pacific coastal regions had previously faced catastrophic flooding, leading to the evacuation of thousands of people. Meteorologists predict that more rain and strong winds are expected in the area later on Sunday.
(With reference to the Associated Press report)