Winter storm live updates: East Coast’s major cities could see a foot of snow as system moves across the US
Several states face at least 12 inches of snow as the storm barrels across the country
Some cities on the East Coast could see a foot or more of snow this weekend as an “unusually large and severe” winter storm barrels through the country, forcing school closures and all but guaranteeing travel chaos.
More than 30 states have issued weather advisories or warnings for the storm, which is expected to travel from the Southern Rockies to New England Friday through Sunday. Dozens of states are expected to face heavy snowfall, ice and freezing temperatures.
A foot of snow is possible in some states, including Oklahoma, Kansas, Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia, according to the service. Major East Coast cities, including Boston and New York City, could also see 12 inches or more.
Heavy snowfall and icy conditions are expected to cause “widespread travel disruptions.” Ice accumulation could also damage trees — leading to widespread power outages — and create “extremely dangerous or impassable travel conditions.”
Wind chills could even drop temperatures as low as minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit (-45 degrees Celsius) in some states.
School and office closures, as well as emergency declarations, are already in effect in some communities. Empty grocery store shelves are being reported as residents stock up for the storm.
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No traditional snow day for NYC students
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he’s not expecting to fully close schools Monday in response to the upcoming winter storm.
Instead, schools will be open for either in-person or online classes, Mamdani told Spectrum News NY1.
Texas braces for brutal storm
Texas residents are bracing for this weekend’s brutal storm, which could bring extreme cold and wind chills as low as minus five degrees Fahrenheit (minus 20 degrees Celsius), according to the National Weather Service in Austin/San Antonio.
Hazardous conditions are expected to begin tomorrow.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson declared a preemptive “local state of disaster” to ensure officials can “respond quicker and organize more efficiently behind the scenes— in case a disaster does occur.”
Basketball games rescheduled nationwide
An NBA game and dozens of college basketball games have been rescheduled across the U.S. as a devastating winter storm approaches, according to the Associated Press.
This includes the Washington Wizards game against the Charlotte Hornets, which has been rescheduled from 6 p.m. to noon on Saturday.
Animal rescue rushes to save over 200 dogs before winter storm hits the US
Officials are rushing to rescue hundreds of dogs in Mississippi ahead of this weekend’s severe winter storm.
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Chicago Public Schools cancels class
Chicago Public Schools has canceled class Friday as the region prepares for “frigid temperatures” and wind chills that could reach minus 35 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 37 degrees Celsius).
“There will be no remote learning for students tomorrow — Friday, January 23. We expect that classes will resume for all students on Monday, January 26,” the school district said in a statement.
More than a dozen states declare emergency
More than a dozen states have declared a state of emergency as a powerful winter storm threatens millions of Americans.
These states include Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
Forecast: Some states could see a foot of snow or more
Localized areas in several states could see a foot of snow or more as a devastating winter storm tears through the country.
Areas in Kansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Virginia and West Virginia are among those that could see up to 12 inches of snow this weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
Major East Coast cities, including New York City and Boston, could also see a foot or more of snow.
See the agency’s full forecast below:
Flight delays and cancelations begin as winter storm threatens travel nationwide
This weekend’s winter storm is expected to cause “widespread travel disruptions.”
Some areas could even see “extremely dangerous or impassable travel conditions” thanks to heavy snow, ice and freezing temperatures.
Flight delays and cancelations have already begun, according to FlightAware.
More than 900 flights into, out of or within the U.S. have been delayed so far Friday, while more than 400 flights have been canceled.
Groceries fly off shelves as residents stock up for storm
Groceries are flying off the shelves across the country as residents stock up for the winter storm.
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