US weather: Seven states declare emergencies amid warnings snow could be heaviest in a decade – live updates

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US weather: Seven states declare emergencies amid warnings snow could be heaviest in a decade – live updates
Author: Vicky Graham
Published: Jan, 06 2025 11:08

The polar vortex of ultra-cold air usually spins around the North Pole. People in the US, Europe and Asia experience its intense cold when the vortex escapes and plunges southward, as in the current conditions. Studies show a fast-warming Arctic is partly to blame for the increasing frequency of the polar vortex extending its icy grip.

A major winter blast of snow, ice, wind and plunging temperatures in the US created dangerous travel conditions from central and southern states all the way to the East Coast early Monday, amid warnings some areas could face the heaviest snow in a decade.

A state of emergency has been declared in seven states – Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Arkansas and parts of New Jersey. Schools and government offices in several areas will be closed on Monday, Associated Press reports. Snow and ice blanketed major roads across Kansas, western Nebraska and parts of Indiana, where the state’s National Guard was activated to help stranded motorists. At least 20cm of snow was expected, along with gusting winds up to 45 mph (72kph).

The National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings from Kansas and Missouri all the way to New Jersey. “For locations in this region that receive the highest snow totals, it may be the heaviest snowfall in at least a decade,” the weather service said.

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