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Storm sweeps across eastern US with extreme weather
A powerful storm system is unleashing a mix of tornadoes, blizzards, and severe thunderstorms across the eastern United States on Monday, disrupting travel and cutting power to hundreds of thousands. The National Weather Service (NWS) warns the storm could affect nearly 200 million people before moving offshore by Tuesday.
Blizzard warnings and heavy snowfall
Blizzard conditions have blanketed parts of the Midwest, with Wisconsin and northern Michigan recording up to 2 feet (0.6 meters) of snow since the weekend. Minnesota's southeastern region saw over 20 inches (51 cm) of snow by Sunday, prompting the state's governor to activate the National Guard for emergency response. The NWS cautioned that whiteout conditions would make travel "treacherous and potentially life-threatening."
Over 11 million people are under blizzard warnings, while another 4 million face winter storm alerts, according to CBS News.
Tornadoes and thunderstorms strike the South and Mid-Atlantic
Tornado watches are in effect for parts of Florida, Alabama, and Georgia, with warnings issued for northern Virginia and the Florida Panhandle between 10:00 and 11:00 local time (15:00-16:00 GMT). Severe thunderstorms are forecast for the Carolinas and West Virginia, where the NWS predicts hail and the possibility of isolated tornadoes.
In North Carolina, Governor Josh Stein urged residents to enable emergency alerts as wind gusts exceeding 74 mph (119 km/h) were expected. Schools in Raleigh and Chapel Hill closed for the day, mirroring closures in parts of Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Travel disruptions and power outages
Air travel has been severely impacted, with over 2,000 flights canceled and 7,000 delayed by Monday morning. Chicago's O'Hare International Airport and New York's LaGuardia Airport bore the brunt of the disruptions, according to FlightAware.
Power outages have left more than half a million customers without electricity, primarily in Michigan, followed by Ohio and Georgia. Strong winds and heavy snow are blamed for the widespread failures.
Canada and western US brace for extreme conditions
Severe weather is also hitting Canada, with central Ontario and southwestern Quebec expecting up to 20 inches of snow and wind speeds of 49 mph. Forecasters warned of "near zero visibility" in some areas.
Meanwhile, the western US faces an extreme heat threat later this week. Southern California, Arizona, and Nevada are under an extreme heat watch, with temperatures in southwest Arizona forecast to reach 109°F (42°C). Phoenix could experience its earliest 100°F-plus day in nearly 40 years, raising concerns about heat-related illnesses.
The dry, windy conditions are also elevating wildfire risks across the West and High Plains. In Nebraska, 30 National Guard troops were deployed over the weekend to combat blazes that have scorched nearly 1,000 square miles (1,609 sq km) and claimed at least one life.
Hawaii storm eases but warnings remain
A storm that drenched Hawaii over the weekend, dumping nearly 24 inches of rain on Maui, began to weaken late Sunday. However, a high wind warning remained in effect for the islands on Monday.
Forecasters warn of historic impact
Meteorologists describe the storm as one of the most significant weather events of the year, with its far-reaching effects spanning from the Midwest to the East Coast. The NWS continues to monitor conditions as the system moves toward the Atlantic, leaving behind a trail of cold weather and lingering hazards.
