It has been reported that tens of millions of Americans are bracing for a huge winter storm that could bring the heaviest snowfall and coldest temperatures in over a decade.
The BBC reports that the National Weather Service (NWS) says the storm, which started in the middle of the US, will move east in the next couple of days.
A state of emergency has been declared in Kentucky and Virginia, and parts of the US unaccustomed to severe cold, including Mississippi and Florida, have been warned to expect treacherous conditions, reports the BBC.
According to forecasters, the extreme weather is caused by the polar vortex, an area of cold air that circulates around the Arctic.
“For some, this could be the heaviest snowfall in over a decade,” the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said.
AccuWeather forecaster Dan DePodwin told the BBC, “This could lead to the coldest January for the US since 2011.”
He added that “temperatures that are well below historical average” could linger for a week.
Those low temperatures will also affect the East Coast, where the storm is expected to reach by Sunday evening.
According to the NWS, on Sunday, there will be “considerable disruptions to daily life” and “dangerous or impossible driving conditions and widespread closures” in the central US.
Some areas of Kansas and Indiana could see at least 8in (20.3cm) of snow.
In parts of the Midwest, blizzards are possible.
“Whiteout conditions will make travel extremely hazardous, with impassable roads and a high risk of motorists becoming stranded,” the NWS warned.
Sleet and freezing rain are forecast for Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, and West Virginia.
Forecasters said that millions more Americans will experience record-low temperatures as the storm moves east.
Cities including Washington DC, Baltimore and Philadelphia are preparing for snowy and icy conditions from Sunday into Monday. Snowfall between 5-12 could be recorded in parts of Virginia.
Also, on Sunday, portions of the southern US, including Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, may experience severe thunderstorms.
Private meteorologist Ryan Maue said: “It’s going to be a mess, a potential disaster. This is something we haven’t seen in quite a while.”
American, Delta, Southwest, and United Airlines are waiving change fees for passengers because of potential flight disruptions.
