Winter storm Elliott: America faces coldest Christmas in memory as 800k without power and thousands of travellers stranded - live
America is facing the coldest Christmas in modern memory as at least 17 people have died in the perilous winter storm gripping the country.
Thousands were left stranded at airports on Christmas Eve and power outages rippled across regions.
Fewer than 800,000 customers were without power on Saturday afternoon, with the eastern states being hit the hardest.
Airline cancellations topped 5,700 US flights on Friday followed up by another 2,100 on Saturday as blizzards, whiteouts, icy rain and freezing, powerful winds stretched from the Canadian border south to the Rio Grande, Gulf Coast and central Florida, and from the Pacific Northwest to the Eastern Seaboard. Wind chill is driving temperatures to minus 40 degrees in some parts of western states.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Saturday that she would pursue a federal disaster declaration to streamline the process of getting extra resources to the region.
Key Points
NY governor to request federal disaster declaration amid winter storm
NY governor expects ‘kitchen sink to fall out of the sky'
US grid operator asks households to cut electricity use amid difficulties in dangerous winter storm Elliott
North Carolina power providers says ‘we have begun short, temporary power outages'
PHOTOS: Winter storm and freezing temperatures strike US
Hell freezes over in Michigan
20:50 , Gustaf Kilander
Hell has literally frozen over as the Michigan town was struck by the winter storm that has killed at least 15 people across the US so far.
Temperatures dropped to -45 C in Montana on Friday and -23 C on Saturday in northern Minnesota.
The area west of Detroit, where the town of Hell is located, saw temperatures around -8 C on Saturday.
Power grid operator urges consumers to save energy
20:30 , Gustaf Kilander
The power grid operator overseeing 13 states has urged consumers to conserve power as it issued a warning that rolling blackouts may become necessary.
PJM Interconnection serves 65 million residents in Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.
“Conserving electricity as much as possible between the hours of 4 a.m. on December 24, 2022, and 10 a.m. on December 25, 2022, will help ensure adequate power supplies,” the company said in a statement.
“CPJM continues to carefully monitor the power supply conditions. It will do everything possible to keep power flowing in the region. If necessary, PJM may take additional steps, such as reducing voltage. PJM is coordinating efforts among generators, power suppliers and local utilities,” the company added.
Warnings issued power outages in parts of US could last for days
20:10 , The Associated Press
Across the six New England states, almost 400,000 electric customers remained without power on Saturday morning, with some utilities warning it could be days before power is restored. In North Carolina, more than 415,000 customers were without power, according to poweroutage.us.
The emergency call for system-wide conservation from Pennsylvania-based PJM Interconnection advised residents to set thermostats lower than usual, to postpone use of major appliances like stoves and dishwashers and to turn off nonessential lights. Commercial and industrial power users have also been asked to cut back. Utility officials said simultaneous increased demand across its electric system came as some power plants are having difficulty operating in the extreme cold. They warned of rolling blackouts.
“It’ll be short-lived, we’ll do everything we can to prevent it, but it is a real possibility,” said Mike Bryson, PJM’s senior vice president for operations. It covers all or parts of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C.
Power demand hit record-high in Tennessee
19:50 , Gustaf Kilander
The demand for power has broken all previous records in Tennessee.
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) supplied a record 740 gigawatt-hours over the last 24 hours.
“We know that asking for power conservation is challenging, especially during the holidays, and we appreciate everyone’s assistance and patience,” TVA’s chief operating officer Don Moul said in a statement. “TVA and local power companies continue to do everything possible to minimize any disruptions while ensuring that the overall power grid remains reliable.”
Hundreds stuck in cars in Erie County, New York
19:30 , Gustaf Kilander
Hundreds of people remain stuck in their cars in Erie County, New York as the winter storm continues.
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz told CNN that “it’s probably somewhere in the vicinity of a couple hundred now, based on the numbers we’ve seen”.
“That’s down dramatically from 500 or more in the overnight hours,” he added.
“There is a driving ban that’s going on for the whole county, and there’s a reason why, it’s because conditions are still so dire that you can easily get stuck, and then you are taking resources off the road when you really need it,” he said.
Winter storm batters US power, snarling Christmas travel
19:10 , Gustaf.Kilander
A battering winter storm left nearly 2 million homes and businesses without power across the United States on Saturday, as millions more people were left to worry how the prospect of further outages would effect holiday and travel plans.
The blinding blizzards, freezing rain and frigid cold that enveloped much of the country knocked out power to 1.7 million households and businesses, while major electricity grid operator warned the 65 million people it serves across the eastern U.S. that rolling blackouts might be required.
Pennsylvania-based PJM Interconnection said power plants are having difficulty operating in the frigid weather and has asked residents to refrain from unnecessary use of electricity. It issued an emergency call for conservation system-wide - asking residents in 13 states to set thermostats lower than usual, to postpone use of major appliances like stoves and dishwashers and to turn off nonessential lights. Commercial and industrial power users have also been asked to cut back.
PJM officials said there is increased electricity demand across its system at the same time that some power plants are having difficulty operating in the extreme cold. They said they want people to be prepared for the possibility of rolling blackouts.
Mayor of Nashville asks NFL team to postpone game as area struck by power outages
18:50 , Gustaf Kilander
The Mayor of Nashville, John Cooper, asked the Tennessee capital’s NFL team, The Titans, to postpone their game which was set to take place on Saturday “in solidarity with our neighbors”.
The request comes amid rolling blackouts instituted by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to limit the strain on the energy grid.
Mr Cooper said the rolling blackouts would continue and requested that all non-essential businesses limit their use of power.
“TVA needs to invest in infrastructure to withstand extreme temps,” he said.
PHOTOS: Snow and freezing temperatures hit US
18:30 , Gustaf Kilander
Buffalo hit by more than two feet of snow
18:10 , Gustaf Kilander
Buffalo in upstate New York has been hit by more than two feet of snow so far since Friday morning, the National Weather Service reported.
The areas to the south and east of the Great Lakes are under blizzard warnings until Sunday morning, with residents east of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario expected to be hit by another two feet of snowfall and winds of up to 65 mph.
“Travel will be impossible in the lake-effect snow band,” the Buffalo-area service wrote. “Areas of blowing snow will produce zero visibility. Very strong winds will cause extensive tree damage and power outages.”
NY Governor tells residents not to travel out of safety concerns
17:50 , Gustaf Kilander
New York Governor Kathy Hochul told residents of her state not to travel out of safety concerns and announced that she would be pursuing a federal disaster declaration during a press conference on Saturday.
“This is a weekend where it is absolutely dangerous in some parts of our state, particularly the western part, to be out there. So we want to encourage people to stay where they are,” she said. “In addition to having a statewide emergency declaration, I’ll be asking the federal government for a declaration of emergency that will allow us to seek reimbursements for the extraordinary expenses of all the overtime and the fact that we’ve brought in mutual aid from other parts of the state – we’ve deployed individuals, whether it the utility crews have come, but also making sure that we have the vehicles we need – but literally they cannot get through right now, no matter how many emergency vehicles we have. They just cannot get through the conditions as we speak.”
VIDEO: Winter weather causes headaches at Detroit Metro Airport
17:30 , The Independent
NY governor to request federal disaster declaration amid winter storm
17:10 , Gustaf Kilander
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said during a press briefing on Saturday that she expects to request a federal disaster declaration as her state attempts to deal with the effects of the winter storm.
The governor added that ploughs are attempting to remove cars and help those stranded in the snow.
More than 63,000 people had no power as of 11.35am on Saturday, according to poweroutage.us.
Ms Hochul said Buffalo Airport would be closed until “at least Monday”.
NY governor expects ‘kitchen sink to fall out of the sky'
16:50 , Gustaf Kilander
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said she “fully expects to see the kitchen sink fall out of the sky” as she outlined the effects of the winter storm on her state during a press briefing on Saturday.
“It is life-threatening what is going on as we speak in Buffalo,” she said, adding that while it’s sad that New Yorkers won’t be able to travel to see family for Christmas, safety is the most important thing.
The governor said emergency vehicles are still getting stuck in the snow and ice.
VIDEO: Eastern Canada hit by winter storms
16:30 , The Independent
Two dead in New York state after emergency vehicles unable to reach area
16:10 , Gustaf Kilander
Two people have died in New York state after emergency vehicles were unable to get to the people in need.
Erie County officials said on Saturday that the area may be experiencing its worst storm since the Buffalo blizzard in 1977.
Cheektowaga, a town east of Buffalo, reported the two deaths on Friday night after emergency vehicles couldn’t get to the homes, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said on Saturday morning.
Two-thirds of emergency vehicles are stuck, he said, according to CNN, with one emergency crew travelling two miles in an hour and 40 minutes.
“Due to the severity of the storm, it is unlikely we can provide transport to non-life-threatening situations,” he said.
“This may turn out to be the worst storm in our community’s history, surpassing the famed blizzard of 77 for its ferocity,” he added.
US grid operator asks households to cut electricity use amid difficulties in dangerous winter storm Elliott
15:50 , Louise Boyle
A major grid operator in the United States is asking customers to reduce electricity use as power plants struggled in the brutal, subzero conditions of Winter Storm Elliott.
Pennsylvania-based PJM Interconnection, which serves 65 million people, asked the public to cut back until the morning of 25th December as frigid temperatures, heavy snow and howling winds continue to sweep the country.
Households were being asked to lower thermostats, postpone using major appliances and turn off non-essential lights and appliances.
At least 12 people have been killed in multiple vehicle collisions during the perilous winter storm as thousands were left stranded at airports on Christmas Eve and power outages rippled across regions.
More than 1.6 million customers are without power across the US with nearly half a million homes impacted in North Carolina. Tens of thousands are also in blackout in Tennessee, Maine, Alabama, and New York.
Read more:
Struggling US grid operator asks people to cut electricity use in storm Elliott
North Carolina power providers says ‘we have begun short, temporary power outages'
15:30 , Gustaf Kilander
North Carolina power provider Duke Energy said on Saturday Morning that “as extreme temps drive unusually high energy demand across the Carolinas we have begun short, temporary power outages”.
“These emergency outages are necessary to protect the energy grid against longer, more widespread outages. We appreciate your patience,” the company tweeted.
PHOTOS: Winter storm and freezing temperatures strike US
15:10 , Gustaf Kilander
More than 1.7 million people without power
14:47 , Gustaf Kilander
More than 1.7 million people in the US are without power on Saturday morning, according to poweroutage.us.
In North Carolina, there are 477,070 without power, according to the site. The same is true for 297,494 in Tennessee, 226,356 in Maine, 77,904 in South Carolina, and 73,778 in New York.
At least 1,757,913 people in the US were without power at 9.30am on Saturday, CNN noted.
Tennessee Valley Authority orders rolling blackouts for first time in 89-year history
14:22 , Gustaf Kilander
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has ordered rolling blackouts for the first time in its 89-year history as freezing temperatures strike across the US.
The agency argued that temporary energy load reductions – rolling blackouts – were needed to stabilize the power grid in the region.
The TVA Chief Operating Officer, Don Moul, told The Tennessean on Friday that they had to limit the strain on the grid when demand was 35 per cent higher than expected compared to a regular day in winter while a number of its coal and gas facilities were shut down by the cold.
“We’re restored a number of those in each category, but we will still have some work to do to build additional margin,” he told the paper.
“We’re optimistic, but also realistic,” he added. “We have some real cold temperatures through the next 48 hours, and we’re expecting peak [energy use] in the evening tonight into tomorrow morning, similar to what we’ve already seen.”
Winter weather proves ‘life-threatening’ for homeless populations across US
13:00 , Josh Marcus
Thousands of unhoused people are at risk because of the winter weather sweeping across the US, The Guardian reports.
“It’s very worrisome. We know that people die in these types of conditions,” Burke Patten of Night Ministry, a Chicago non-profit, told the paper. “It’s dangerous. I’m concerned.”
NORAD declares that neither Covid nor ‘bomb cyclone’ will impede Santa’s progress
12:00 , Josh Marcus
The US military’s North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, is continuing its tradition of fancifully reporting on Santa’s progress across the Northern Hemisphere use its sophisticated radar systems.
The command has announced that neither Covid nor the winter weather sweeping the country will impede old St Nick.
Here’s an AP video of the military’s Santa-tracking mission, complete with some excellent animations.
NORAD, the U.S. military agency known for tracking Santa Claus's travels, doesn't expect COVID-19 or the "bomb cyclone" to impact his Christmas Eve journey. https://t.co/tmdPuCoRMY pic.twitter.com/Y6uVwR0xxK
— The Associated Press (@AP) December 23, 2022
Videos show storm surge battering East Coast
11:00 , Josh Marcus
The wild winter weather sweeping the country has included massive bouts of storm surge in Rhode Island, Maine, and Massachusetts.
Rain and snowmelt from winter storms brought flooding and storm surge to many parts of the Northeast on Friday.
Read more: https://t.co/8vBzqfiqfr pic.twitter.com/g4bF5PXpkU— Newsweek (@Newsweek) December 23, 2022
Unbelievable level of coastal flooding in Provincetown today. New moon definitely had an effect on the storm surge, but with sea level rise that’s already “locked in” — we should be full on emergency planning for the decades to come. We are currently not. #WinterStorm #capecod pic.twitter.com/RxBwTN7T5H
— Jack Stanton (@realJackStanton) December 23, 2022
Those waves! Significant storm surge at Narragansett Beach. This is at Ocean Road & Beach Street (both are flooded) @NBC10 pic.twitter.com/9HYKc1TiJs
— Liz Bateson (@LizBatesonTV) December 23, 2022
Videos show zero visibility conditions in Buffalo, New York
10:00 , Josh Marcus
Snow is pounding Buffalo, New York, causing zero-visbility conditions.
Here are some of the most striking videos of what’s happening on the ground.
So what does "zero mile" visibility look like? Well, here's a spectacular view of our parking lot near the airport. Yes, there are cars parked just a few feet away.
We don't even want to be parked in it, you *definitely* don't want to be driving in it. Seriously. https://t.co/ikpMJTnoU7 pic.twitter.com/px5jmVFLIe— NWS Buffalo (@NWSBUFFALO) December 23, 2022
'You can't see anything:' Extreme meteorologist @ReedTimmerAccu reports from within the heart of what he calls a once-in-a-generation winter storm striking #Buffalo, New York. #NYwx#Blizzard LIVE blog: https://t.co/GpveozJTpG pic.twitter.com/eu9OUtoE19
— AccuWeather (@accuweather) December 23, 2022
Buffalo - New York pic.twitter.com/3Oora1R8he
— tuca (@tucabr54) December 24, 2022
ICYMI: One dead after massive 50-care pileup on Ohio turnpike
09:00 , Josh Marcus
One person was killed and multiple others injured in a huge 50-vehicle crash in Ohio, according to officials.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol says that the crash happened in the eastbound lanes of the Ohio Turnpike in Sandusky County on Friday morning.
Officials say that buses were used to collect and take people from the scene of the accident to a nearby facility to keep them warm in freezing temperatures.
No details have been released on the cause of the crash or of the person killed in the accident.
But officials say that the initial crashes began at around 11.45am, with two people injured in a five-car crash.
Graeme Massie reports.
One dead after massive 50-care pileup on Ohio turnpike
What is a ‘bomb cyclone’? US facing winter weather warning
07:59 , Josh Marcus
An Arctic blast is sweeping the United States, impacting swathes of the country this holiday season with a miserable mix of dangerous cold, blinding snow squalls and flash freezing.
The powerful winter storm will produce widespread, disruptive and potentially crippling impacts across the central and eastern United States between now and Christmas Eve, the National Weather Service warned.
Forecasters are also warning of the potential for a “bomb cyclone” – but what does this mean?
Louise Boyle has more.
What is a ‘bomb cyclone’? US facing winter weather warning
Kentucky declares state of emergency amid ‘really dangerous’ cold weather
07:00 , Josh Marcus
Kentucky has declared a state of emergency amid “really dangerous” cold weather this week.
Governor Andy Beshear warned people that the extremely cold weather forecast for the state could lead to hazardous conditions.
“This is going to be really, really dangerous,” Gov. Beshear told a press conference on Wednesday morning. “After tornadoes and floods, pandemics and multiple ice storms just in these last three years, I don’t want to lose one person to this Arctic front that is coming through.”
Louise Boyle has the story.
Kentucky declares state of emergency
Where Winter Storm Elliot will have the biggest impact
06:00 , Josh Marcus
Tens of thousands of people are without power and thousands of flights already cancelled or delayed as an Arctic blast began to sweep the United States on Thursday.
The powerful winter storm is forecast to hit 30 states from Washington to Florida this holiday season with a miserable mix of dangerous cold, blinding snow squalls and flash freezing.
The impacts will be widespread, disruptive and potentially crippling across the central and eastern US between now and Christmas Day, the National Weather Service (NWS) reported.
Louise Boyle reports.
Flights canceled as snow and ‘dangerous’ cold weather from Washington to Florida
Why Winter Storm Elliot is ‘once-in-a-generation'
05:00 , Josh Marcus
An Arctic blast will sweep the United States, impacting nearly every state this holiday season with a miserable mix of dangerous cold, blinding snow squalls and flash freezing.
The powerful winter storm will produce widespread, disruptive and potentially crippling impacts across the central and eastern United States between now and Christmas Eve, the National Weather Service warned.
The weather system is so large that about 200 million people across 30 states, from Washington to Florida, were under winter storm warnings and advisories today, and some states declared emergencies due to the conditions.
Louise Boyle has more.
‘Once-in-a-generation’ storms sweep the US
Winter Storm Elliot, by the numbers
04:00 , Josh Marcus
Roughly two-thirds of America is under warnings or advisories for Storm Elliott as the historic polar vortex tightens its grip across the country on Friday.
More than 200 million people are facing subzero temperatures – in some places as low as -40C. This will be accompanied by dangerous winds, and blinding, heavy snowfall at a time when many families were planning a return to a somewhat normal festive season after several years of pandemic restrictions and worries.
Blizzards, whiteouts, rapid ice-overs and freezing, powerful winds stretched from the Canadian border south to the Rio Grande, Gulf Coast and central Florida, and from the Pacific Northwest to the Eastern Seaboard. The National Weather Service described it as “one of the greatest extents of winter weather warnings and advisories ever”.
Louise Boyle from out climate team has the details.
Deadly winter storm Elliott: 200 million under alerts in US as 3,000 flights axed
Portland Pickles college baseball mascot films news PSA
02:55 , Josh Marcus
The Portland Pickles, a team that competes in the collegiate West Coast League, are warning Oregon residents about the danger of slipping on icy sidewalks.
“Stay safe out there today,” the team wrote on Twitter on Friday, attaching a local news segment featuring their mascot, Dillon, a giant pickle in a baseball uniform, slipping while going for a run on snowy pavement.
PDX: Stay safe out there today. pic.twitter.com/ANndVmESWS
— Portland Pickles (@picklesbaseball) December 23, 2022
Over 5,000 flights canceled on Friday, one-day record for 2022
01:55 , Josh Marcus
Snow storms across the country have knocked out airports.
At least 5,259 flights were canceled on Friday, a one-day record for 2022, according to the New York Times.
WATCH: Wild video shows 50-car pileup on Ohio turnpike
01:25 , Josh Marcus
Tough winter weather has proved a nightmare on America’s roads this week.
In Ohio, at least one person is dead after a 50-car pile-up.
Here’s a video of the wreck, courtesy of ABC News.
Dramatic videos show the scene of a deadly pileup on the Ohio Turnpike that involved approximately 50 vehicles during snowy conditions.
One person died and multiple people were injured, Ohio Highway Patrol said. https://t.co/qbrkoZswJU pic.twitter.com/OvJQzKjV4w— ABC News (@ABC) December 23, 2022
One dead after massive 50-care pileup on Ohio turnpike
00:55 , Josh Marcus
One person was killed and multiple others injured in a huge 50-vehicle crash in Ohio, according to officials.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol says that the crash happened in the eastbound lanes of the Ohio Turnpike in Sandusky County on Friday morning.
Officials say that buses were used to collect and take people from the scene of the accident to a nearby facility to keep them warm in freezing temperatures.
No details have been released on the cause of the crash or of the person killed in the accident.
But officials say that the initial crashes began at around 11.45am, with two people injured in a five-car crash.
Graeme Massie has the full story.
One dead after massive 50-care pileup on Ohio turnpike
At least 8 people have died from winter weather this week
00:25 , Josh Marcus
The death toll because of this week’s extreme weather continues to rise.
At least eight people have died because of the storm sweeping across the country, in states including Oklahoma, Kentucky, Missouri, and Wisconsin, NBC reports.
The fatalities were a combination of auto wrecks and people being exposed to the elements directly.
New York governor warns of ‘epic’ storm
Friday 23 December 2022 23:55 , Josh Marcus
New York, especially upstate, is no stronger to big snowfalls, but this week’s weather has astounded local officials.
On Friday, governor Kathy Hochul warned residents about the “epic” weather that’s been heading their way.
“I called it a kitchen sink storm because it is throwing everything at us but the kitchen sink,” she said, CNN reports. “We’ve had ice, flooding, snow, freezing temperatures, and everything that mother nature could wallop at us this weekend.”
More than 8,000 flights have been delayed today amid winter weather
Friday 23 December 2022 23:23 , Josh Marcus
Numerous flights have been delayed or canceled today because of scary winter weather.
All together, 8,425 US flights have been delayed and 5,125 have been canceled as of Friday evening, according to data-tracking site Flight Aware.
Warming trend expected for coming days in southern US, NWS reports
Friday 23 December 2022 22:42 , Josh Marcus
Warm weather is set on average to return by milder temperatures throughout next week in the Texas region, according to the National Weather Service.
The mercury could climb back to the 60s and 70s on average by next Thursday, the agency said.
Long lines and delays reported from Florida to Michigan as weather pounds airports
Friday 23 December 2022 21:30 , Josh Marcus
Inclement weather is causing delays and long lines at airports across the country.
In Florida, as of noon, over 200 flights were delayed and 36 were canceled at Miami International Airport.
“We’ve been hearing a lot of flights have been canceled so we’re a little nervous about getting home,” traveler Galaxina Wright told CBS News.
Reporters in Detroit noted numerous delayed passengers there as well.
Meanwhile over at Detroit Metro Airport’s McNamara Terminal, people are in extremely long lines hoping to board their flights.
Things seem to be moving right now but there are still some delays and cancellations this morning. People are still taking their chances though. @WWJ950 pic.twitter.com/Ja0f48A1UH— Ryan H. Marshall (@RyanHMarshall) December 23, 2022
Guess we got our White Christmas after all. Nice to look at except if you’re a passenger with a cancelled flight like many people out at Detroit Metro Airport.
Snow and now heavy winds continue to pummel the area. But, McNamara Terminal seems to be flowing currently. @WWJ950 pic.twitter.com/hTiG2w2LkT— Ryan H. Marshall (@RyanHMarshall) December 23, 2022
Videos capture storm surge, 60mph winds, and whiteout across the country
Friday 23 December 2022 21:10 , Josh Marcus
Extreme winter weather is blasting large parts of the United States, from Indiana to coastal New York
Here are some of the wildest videos of what’s been happening, including storm surge and 60pmh winds near Buffalo, New York, and an icy whiteout in Burns Harbor, Indiana.
BIG-TIME SEICHE storm surge flooding at Buffalo Naval Park with winds over 60 mph. Dangerous #blizzard conditions pic.twitter.com/SnZZDQrRHI
— Reed Timmer, PhD (@ReedTimmerAccu) December 23, 2022
Current view of Lake Michigan
Burns Harbor, IN pic.twitter.com/fL04TtnHPE— db (@dBake219) December 23, 2022
Freezing weather threatens hundreds of migrants in states like Texas
Friday 23 December 2022 20:52 , Josh Marcus
Migrants who crossed the US-Mexico border are one of the communities at particular risk of this week’s freezing temperatures.
Cities like El Paso are scrambling to open emergency shelters, though migrants say that shelters like the city’s 1,000-cot emergency facility are only open to those who have certain paperwork obtained by turning themselves in to the Border Patrol.
“We’re not permitted inside the shelter because we crossed without permission,” a Venezuelan migrant named Adda told NPR, who traveled to the US with her pregnant daughter.
“We went to ask if we could stay in the shelter because my daughter is pregnant,” Adda continued. “But they told us no, not without a permit.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has continued to argue that the crisis is because the Biden administration has sought to end Title 42, a Trump-era policy turning away most asylum-seekers on dubious pandemic grounds before they could enter the US, even though research shows the policy has done little to stop repeat crossings.
President Biden & Congress are failing in their constitutional duty to secure our border.
In their absence, Texas has stepped up to keep our communities & our country safe.
It is long past time for Biden & Congress to fully fund border security. pic.twitter.com/Tf2K7amzcA— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) December 22, 2022
Freezing rain pelts Washington
Friday 23 December 2022 20:37 , Josh Marcus
Frozen rain smashed into parts of Washington state on Friday, as cold weather swept across much of the United States throughout the week.
Officials in the Puget Sound region have asked the public to stay off roads and delay non-essential travel, KOMO reports, while power lines weighed down with ice have begun to cause energy outages.
The frozen rain also temporarily delayed operations at Seattle’s SeaTac airport.
Postal carriers warn of delayed holiday packages
Friday 23 December 2022 20:20 , Josh Marcus
As icy weathers shutter transit facilities across the country, FedEx and UPS are warning that holiday packages may arrive late this week, CNBC reports.
“FedEx Express experienced substantial disruptions at our Memphis and Indianapolis hubs last night due to severe winter weather that has been moving across the United States,” FedEx said on Friday in a statement.
UPS added that the winter chaos disrupted operations “across several regions of the U.S. are impacting the UPS Air and Ground network, including UPS hubs in Louisville, Kentucky and Rockford, Illinois.”
Pete Buttigieg thanks transit workers for persevering through ‘incredibly difficult conditions'
Friday 23 December 2022 20:05 , Josh Marcus
Transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg thanked America’s transit workers on Friday, many of whom are braving ice, snow, and long lines at airports to get people home for the holidays.“Have a thought to workers who are away from their families in order to get you closer to yours and in the case of some of thos ground crews, just working in incredibly difficult conditions,” Mr Buttigieg told MSNBC.
“More than anything else, more than the equipment, it’s the people of our tranportation sector that we all count on, whether we realise or not. “
Grateful for transportation workers across America who are away from their families today working through ice, wind, snow and freezing temperatures to help get people and packages where they need to be. pic.twitter.com/R2Q7QyAdXg
— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) December 23, 2022
Bulldozers and icicles on wings: Ice slams Seattle airport
Friday 23 December 2022 19:45 , Josh Marcus
Seattle’s SeaTac airport felt the deep freeze on Friday.
Waiting planes were pictured on the runway with icicles hanging off their wings, and crews of plow trucks and bulldozers were called to clear ice from the landing path.
Our crews continue to work to clear the airfield of ice. Thanks to our team for keeping things safe at SEA! pic.twitter.com/E1Gkk8sHON
— Seattle-Tacoma Intl. Airport (@flySEA) December 23, 2022
From a friend at SeaTac this morning. Ice has completely shut down the airport. #wawx
📷 Nestor Fernandez pic.twitter.com/yyDOK9HXyb— Nathan Santo Domingo (@NSDwx) December 23, 2022
Estimated 1.5m people without power as Winter Storm Elliot advances
Friday 23 December 2022 19:20 , Josh Marcus
More than 1.5 million people are without power across the United States, as Winter Storm Elliot batters infrastructure, the Weather Channel estimates.
The outages are largely concentrated across the East Coast, though states like Texas, Louisiana, and Georgia are among those experiencing blackouts.
Now over 1.5 million customers without power on one of the busiest travel days of the year.
Bad combination with power outages and bitterly cold, subfreezing temperatures for much of the country. @weatherchannel pic.twitter.com/2BmtEStrsG— Scot Pilié (@ScotPilie_Wx) December 23, 2022
Webcam captures eerie ‘sea smoke’ as freezing air moves over ocean in Texas
Friday 23 December 2022 19:05 , Josh Marcus
Despite being in the far south of the US, Texas hasn’t escaped this week’s freezing weather.
Webcams near Galveston, Texas, captured one strange effects of the recent conditions: “sea smoke,” which forms when very cold air interacts with warmer water.
Take a look at the bizarre weather, courtesy of Saltwater Recon.
@SaltwaterRecon's Stewart Beach webcam this morning. Blowing sand, sea smoke, and hard freezing temperatures. Not your typical morning along the Texas Coast. #txwx #ArcticBlast pic.twitter.com/C3C7OcsbT6
— NWS Houston (@NWSHouston) December 23, 2022
An utterly otherworldly scene as the arctic air meets the Gulf of Mexico generating steam fog and convection! The cloud layer shows just how shallow the depth of the cold air is! #txwx #glswx #texasfreeze #timelapse #galveston @NWSHouston pic.twitter.com/Y5gAU6co0w
— Saltwater-Recon.com (@SaltwaterRecon) December 23, 2022
Many places more than 30 degrees colder than yesterday, NWS says
Friday 23 December 2022 18:50 , Josh Marcus
The cold front sweeping across the US shows no signs of slowing down as it makes it way towards the East Coast.
Along the way, some locations are experiencing 30-degree single-day temperature drops, according to the National Weather Service.
A powerful cold front continues to head toward the East Coast as of Friday morning. Many places are more than 30°F colder than yesterday! These images show the maximum 1-hr and 24-hr drops (not actual temperatures) with the frontal passage as of Friday morning. pic.twitter.com/XtyvayvnGq
— NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) December 23, 2022
Ohio governor warns residents to rethink travel plans and stay home
Friday 23 December 2022 16:06 , Louise Boyle
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine urged residents of his state to reconsider their holiday travel plans and stay home as freezing, dangerous conditions set in.
Most of the Midwestern state was under winter storm warnings as subzero temperatures, gusting winds and snowfall set in on Friday.
By 10am, driving conditions had deteriorated across northern Ohio and northwest Pennsylvania as visibility was below a quarter of a mile due to falling and blowing snow.
Here is a time lapse video from Lakewood captured by one of our NWS Cleveland Meteorologist. #OHwx #PAwx #NWS #Cleveland #Blizzard #WinterStorm #Christmas2022 pic.twitter.com/saT6sHuxOu
— NWS Cleveland (@NWSCLE) December 23, 2022
Pictured: How the severe weather looks across the US
Friday 23 December 2022 16:00 , Louise Boyle
Watch: Friday’s winter storm forecast across the United States
Friday 23 December 2022 15:45 , Louise Boyle
More than 1million homes without power
Friday 23 December 2022 15:25 , Louise Boyle
Nearly 1.2 million customers are experiencing power cuts across the country by Friday morning due to Winter Storm Elliott.
Over 1.18 million electric customers are without power across the USA due a large winter storm system moving across the country. [2022-12-23 09:43:40 AM EST] https://t.co/kJ0OPcxh3i #PowerOutage pic.twitter.com/2WPltg8djO
— PowerOutage.us (@PowerOutage_us) December 23, 2022
Freeze watch versus warnings and advisories
Friday 23 December 2022 15:10 , Louise Boyle
What’s the difference between warnings, watches and advisories? Some advice below.
Hard Freeze Warning: Take Action! NWS issues a hard freeze warning when temperatures are expected to drop below 28°F for an extended period of time, killing most types of commercial crops and residential plants.
Freeze Warning: Take Action! When temperatures are forecasted to go below 32°F for a long period of time, NWS issues a freeze warning. This temperature threshold kills some types of commercial crops and residential plants.
Freeze Watch: Be Prepared NWS issues a freeze watch when there is a potential for significant, widespread freezing temperatures within the next 24-36 hours. A freeze watch is issued in the autumn until the end of the growing season and in the spring at the start of the growing season.
Frost Advisory: Be Aware. A frost advisory means areas of frost are expected or occurring, posing a threat to sensitive vegetation.
Big freeze in the windy city
Friday 23 December 2022 14:50 , Louise Boyle
President Joe Biden briefed on extreme weather
Friday 23 December 2022 14:33 , Louise Boyle
President Joe Biden was briefed on Winter Storm Elliott on Thursday and urged Americans to heed the warnings from forecasters.
“This is not like a snow day when you were a kid. This is serious stuff,” he said.
On Friday, the President and the First Lady will make a holiday visit to patients and families at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC.
Earlier, I gathered my team for a briefing on the extreme cold and storms we’re seeing across America.
I urge everyone to follow the warnings of local officials – go to https://t.co/VsGFYDDJSt for more information. I stand ready to help communities with whatever they'll need. pic.twitter.com/eLEi2VoF8b— President Biden (@POTUS) December 22, 2022
Watch: Hot water turns into ice cloud as Missoula, Montana hit by extreme cold temperatures
Friday 23 December 2022 14:10 , Louise Boyle
A makeshift science experiment was caught on camera during extreme cold weather in Missoula, Montana.
A wind chill advisory remains in place until 11am (local time) on Friday and a weather advisory until 5am on Saturday. Wind chills as low as 30 below zero are forecast along with snow accumulations of one to four inches. The most snow is expected on Friday afternoon.
Forecasters warned drivers to take extreme caution due to slippery roads. The cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.
Flight cancellations jump
Friday 23 December 2022 13:57 , Louise Boyle
Total flight delays on Friday reached 10,850 with 5,840 cancellations. Airports in New York, Chicago, Atlanta and Denver were among the worst affected.
What’s the difference between a wind chill warning and watch?
Friday 23 December 2022 13:44 , Louise Boyle
What’s the difference between a wind chill warning and a wind chill watch?
A Wind Chill Warning - means take action, according to the US government site, weather.gov. The National Weather Service (NWS) issues a wind chill warning when dangerously cold wind chill values are expected or occurring. If you are in an area with a wind chill warning, avoid going outside during the coldest parts of the day. If you do go outside, dress in layers, cover exposed skin, and make sure at least one other person knows your whereabouts. Update them when you arrive safely at your destination.
A Wind Chill Watch means be prepared. NWS issues a wind chill watch when dangerously cold wind chill values are possible. As with a warning, adjust your plans to avoid being outside during the coldest parts of the day. Make sure your car has at least a half a tank of gas, and update your winter survival kit.
A Wind Chill Advisory means be aware. NWS issues a wind chill advisory when seasonably cold wind chill values but not extremely cold values are expected or occurring. Be sure you and your loved ones dress appropriately and cover exposed skin when venturing outdoors.
Americans warned to travel with caution
Friday 23 December 2022 13:15 , Louise Boyle
Forecasters warned people venturing out over the holidays to travel with extreme caution after at least five deaths were already reported on the roads in Oklahoma and Kansas.
“The ongoing major winter storm will continue to produce areas of heavy snow, strong winds, and life-threatening wind chills through Saturday. If traveling for the holiday, please use extreme caution and pay attention to the latest forecasts and updates,” the National Weather Service warned.
The ongoing major winter storm will continue to produce areas of heavy snow, strong winds, and life-threatening wind chills through Saturday. If traveling for the holiday, please use extreme caution and pay attention to the latest forecasts and updates. pic.twitter.com/WqMskJosNf
— NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) December 22, 2022
Power outages jump to 400,000 homes
Friday 23 December 2022 13:08 , Louise Boyle
The number of power cuts believed to be linked to hazardous winter storm conditions jumped on Friday morning.
Nearly 98,000 people were without power in Connecticut and more than 95,000 in Georgia. In Texas, nearly 80,000 were without power as public officials rushed to reassure customers than their standalone power grid would hold up. The collapse of the Texas power grid during Winter Storm Uri in February 2021 led to 200 deaths.
Power outages were also reported in South Caroline - 71,654 - and North Carolina, 57,178 by utility tracker poweroutage.us
Wind chills set in
Friday 23 December 2022 13:03 , Louise Boyle
Dangerously cold wind chill was setting in across much of the US on Friday. The gusts will continue to affect and spread eastward throughout the day from the Rocky Mountains, the south, Midwest, Great Lakes and advancing across to the eastern seaboard.
This graphic is the forecast for temperature at 1pm (Eastern Standard Time) on Friday.
Advice for pets
Friday 23 December 2022 12:56 , Louise Boyle
Forecasters in Sioux Falls, South Dakota had advice for those taking care of their pets during the harsh weather.
“Like people, animals also feel the effects of wind chill, and prolonged time outdoors can be dangerous for them as well,” the National Weather Service office said.
We are just at the start of this prolonged stretch of extreme cold, so please don't forget about your pets. Like people, animals also feel the effects of wind chill, and prolonged time outdoors can be dangerous for them as well. pic.twitter.com/BjqtLhlsIU
— NWS Sioux Falls (@NWSSiouxFalls) December 22, 2022
‘Freezing, snowy nightmare before Christmas’ says NASA
Friday 23 December 2022 12:43 , Louise Boyle
NASA’s satellite observations were described as “the freezing, snowy nightmare before Christmas” on Friday.
On the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) global model, the darkest blue areas indicated where surface temperatures are expected to drop at least 25 degrees (Fahrenheit) below average during the polar vortex.
Winter Storm Elliott will bring whiteout conditions, howling winds and several inches of snow.
Wind chill could push temperatures to -7F in Dallas, -14F in Memphis, and -32F in Kansas City, and -45F in Sioux Falls, The Washington Post reported. The National Weather Service in Cheyenne warned that temperatures could fall to as low as -70F in eastern Wyoming.
Montana resident shows ice forming inside her bedroom as temperatures plunge
Friday 23 December 2022 12:30 , Louise Boyle
Winter Storm Elliot: Montana woman's bed headboard freezes as temperatures plummet
Drifting snow banks blanket North Dakota
Friday 23 December 2022 12:19 , Louise Boyle
Rows of headstones at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery are blanketed by drifting snow on Thursday, December 22, in Mandan, North Dakota.
The National Weather Service in Bismarck, North Dakota issued a blizzard warning until 6pm on Friday with a wind chill warning in place until Saturday.
Dangerously cold winds as low as 55 below zero and gusting as high as 50mph were expected.
“Widespread blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility, making travel dangerous. The life threatening cold will cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 5 minutes,” NWS reported. Travel should be restricted to emergencies only, it said.
181 million under wind chill warnings
Friday 23 December 2022 12:11 , Louise Boyle
Wind chill warnings or advisories were in place for 181 million people on Friday, according to the National Weather Service.
More than 11 million people are also facing blizzard warnings and over 500,000 are under ice storm warnings.
“This system will have increasingly widespread impacts to travel going into the busy holiday travel time late this week, along with the potential for power outages from the expected high winds, heavy snows, significant icing and overall increased power consumption in places,” NWS reported.
The Arctic blast has caused temperatures to plummet 30 -50 degrees in short periods of times. In addition to the very cold temperatures, high winds in the wake of the front will produce dangerous wind chill readings across nearly all of the central to eastern US.
Local business owner posts timelapse of storm in Cincinnati, Ohio
Friday 23 December 2022 11:56 , Louise Boyle
A local business owner in Cincinnati, Ohio posted an incredible timelapse video of Winter Storm Elliott descending on his street.
Timelapse of Winter Storm Elliott in Cincinnati, OH @ryanhallyall @Local12 pic.twitter.com/oW8ZrEsAJ9
— Alex (@plainalexx) December 23, 2022
Snow doesn’t stop the party in Music City
Friday 23 December 2022 11:45 , Louise Boyle
US flight map of misery
Friday 23 December 2022 11:33 , Louise Boyle
The live flight delay and cancellation statistics from the tracker site FlightAware revealed a map of misery across the US on Friday.
Total cancellations within, into, or out of the US today stood at 3,080 flights while total delays were at 8,742.
The airports that are most severely impacted are New York City’s LaGuardia, Seattle-Tacoma in Washington, Detroit Metro in Michigan and both Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway in Illinois.
Snow days
Friday 23 December 2022 11:25 , Louise Boyle
Blackouts increase as polar vortex takes hold
Friday 23 December 2022 10:54 , Louise Boyle
Classes cancelled
Friday 23 December 2022 10:47 , Louise Boyle
The School District of Philadelphia, the largest in Pennsylvania, announced that Friday’s final classes of the calendar year would be held online rather than in-person as scheduled.
In Allegheny County in the western part of the state, public works spokesman Brent Wasko said officials would deploy 33 salt trucks but that pretreating the roads wasn’t an option because expected rainfall Thursday night and Friday morning would wash the salt away.
Associated Press
What is a bomb cyclone?
Friday 23 December 2022 10:40 , Louise Boyle
It’s possible that the bitterly cold Arctic blast sweeping the United States will develop into a “bomb cyclone”. But what does this mean?
What is a ‘bomb cyclone’? US facing winter weather warning
National Weather Service warns 60 per cent of US population will be impacted
Friday 23 December 2022 10:34 , Louise Boyle
A “historic” winter storm is causing widespread disruptions to large portions of the nation heading into the holiday weekend, the National Weather Service warned in its latest update at 3am (eastern time) on Friday.
Over 200 million people, or roughly 60 per cent of the U.S. population, are under some form of winter weather warnings or advisories today as the powerful Arctic front is sweeping across the eastern third of the nation.
Heavy snow is forecast to blanket the Great Lakes region into northern New York State and northern New England while significant freezing rain possible across the Pacific Northwest.
