In mid-January, a powerful winter storm swept across the United States, affecting regions from Kansas to New Jersey. The National Weather Service issued warnings, predicting heavy snowfall and dangerous travel conditions. States like Kansas, Nebraska, and Indiana saw their National Guards activated to assist stranded drivers. The storm's intensity was unusually high, with some areas expecting over 8 inches of snow and winds up to 45 mph.

The impacts of the polar vortex were felt across the country. This weather phenomenon, typically confined to the North Pole, extended its icy grip southward, leading to unusually cold temperatures. Research suggests that a rapidly warming Arctic is linked to the increased frequency of such events.

Schools and government offices in several states, including Indiana, Virginia, and Kentucky, closed in anticipation of the storm. In Kentucky, all extracurricular activities and athletics were canceled for nearly 100, 000 students. Authorities urged people to stay off the roads as hundreds of car accidents were reported across Virginia, Indiana, Kansas, and Kentucky.

Snowfall covered major highways, prompting police to ask drivers to stay home. The storm was expected to move into the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic states, bringing a hard freeze as far south as Florida. Rail and air travel were also disrupted, with numerous cancellations reported.

Starting Monday, temperatures dropped significantly across the eastern two-thirds of the US. Chicago experienced temperatures in the teens, while International Falls, Minnesota, plunged to 11 below zero. The Northeast, which had a mild start to winter, was expected to experience several days of cold, with parts of the East Coast facing single-digit lows.

Snowstorm: A Winter Blast Across the US

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