"A major snow and ice storm is expected to affect tens of millions of people from Texas to New England over the weekend. The storm is very large and it could be particularly dangerous because a frigid mass of air known as a polar vortex will linger for days after the snow and freezing rain stop falling. That could lead to deadly conditions if people lose power,"
"In its winter storm guidance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends getting extra batteries for flashlights, filling up your car's gas tank and reviewing how to use your generator if you have one. Winter storms are a normal part of life in North America. But winter weather patterns are shifting as the global climate warms, and scientists are working to understand those changes. Such research is crucial because it is the first step toward even more accurate weather forecasts."
An expansive snow and ice storm will affect tens of millions from Texas to New England, producing heavy snow and freezing rain. A frigid polar vortex will linger for days after precipitation ends, keeping temperatures dangerously low and increasing the risk of deadly outcomes if power is lost. Power failures during extreme cold can cause widespread fatalities, as occurred in Texas in 2021 when grid failures contributed to at least 246 deaths. FEMA recommends preparedness steps such as extra batteries, fueling vehicles and reviewing generator use. Climate warming may be altering the jet stream and winter patterns, and cuts to federal climate research could hinder efforts to improve forecasts.
Read at www.npr.org
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