More than 160 million people remain under some type of weather alert.
United States.– A winter storm, driven by an arctic air mass, is advancing over the United States and threatens to severely impact several states, where intense snowfall, freezing rain, extreme temperatures, and possible prolonged disruptions of basic services are expected.
According to the National Weather Service (
NWS), the states that will suffer the most severe effects of the phenomenon are concentrated in the south, center, and northeast of the country.
Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Arkansas are among the first territories hit, with significant accumulations of ice and snow that could paralyze roads and cause massive failures in the electrical supply.
In the Mississippi Valley and the South of the Midwest, states like
Tennessee, Kentucky, and Missouri are facing a dangerous combination of freezing rain and heavy snow, conditions that increase the risk of accidents, falling trees, and damage to electrical infrastructure. Authorities have declared states of emergency and urge the population to limit travel.
Further east, the impact will intensify in densely populated areas.
Washington D.C., Pennsylvania, New York, and Massachusetts are preparing for snowfall that could exceed 30 centimeters, accompanied by extremely low temperatures.
Cities like Philadelphia, New York, and Boston anticipate disruptions in public and air transport, as well as preventive closures of schools and government offices.
In the southeast,
North Carolina and Georgia are also under alert, an unusual situation for the region, where the infrastructure is less prepared for severe winter events. Authorities warn that even small accumulations of ice could cause a disproportionate impact.
The phenomenon is reminiscent of recent extreme events, such as the 2021 winter storm that left millions without electricity in Texas. On this occasion, state and federal governments have activated contingency plans and deployed emergency resources to mitigate the effects.
Meteorologists warn that dangerous conditions could persist for several days, so they recommend that the population stay informed, stock up on basic supplies, and follow the instructions of local authorities.
