A powerful winter storm hit the United States on Wednesday February 22 and is expected to sweep the country from west to east, causing heavy snowfall that is making travel difficult in many regions.
From the Pacific coast to the Great Lakes, a large part of the country has been hit by blizzards which must dump up to 60 centimeters of snow in places. As a result, air traffic was largely disrupted and more than a hundred thousand people were deprived of electricity.
The range of this storm extends from California to Michigan, a northern state accustomed to heavy snowfall. Near the Great Lakes, a historic winter storm [qui] will probably make travel impossible” due to snowfall and winds between 55 and 70 kilometers per hour, warned the US Weather Service (NWS).
“If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Travel should be limited to emergencies only.advised the NWS. “If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stuck, stay in your vehicle. »
At 5 a.m. (French time), more than 1,750 flights to or from the United States had been canceled, according to the specialized site Flightaware, which also counts 6,280 delays. Denver Airport in Colorado was particularly affected. Road traffic was also difficult, especially in Wyoming, where authorities estimated that “multi-day closures are likely on highways and secondary roads” of this northwestern state.
About 760,000 homes were without power across the country, according to the PowerOutage website, including in Michigan, where snow and freezing rain froze power lines, leaving them vulnerable to gusty winds.
Blizzard in the mountains of Los Angeles
An exceptional blizzard warning was issued for the mountains around Los Angeles starting Thursday morning. The region should expect snowfall sometimes from 300 meters above sea level. “Cold and Dangerous” according to local NWS services, the winter storm must remain over the region “most of the week”.
“Strong and potentially destructive winds are also expected”, also warned meteorologists. In addition to the mountains, some hills might thus see their snowy peaks.
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“Virtually everyone in California will be able to see snow (…) in the course of the week if she is looking in the right direction”summarized on Twitter climatologist Daniel Swain.
Temperatures below normal in Southern California, however, remain very bearable, unlike the central and northern United States where the mercury might reach −34 ° C. And while the West and the North are shivering, the eastern part of the country is experiencing an unusual heat episode. Ohio and the mid-Atlantic coast should expect temperatures regarding 4 degrees above seasonal averages.
” The temperatures (…) will look more like those of June than those of February”explained the NWS.