Winter storm: More snow forecast as millions face dangerously cold temperatures
Written by ABC Audio. All rights reserved. on January 18, 2024
(NEW YORK) — As dangerously low temperatures paralyze parts of the country from Chicago to Tennessee, the West and the Northeast are bracing for more snow.
The latest
More than 30 weather-related fatalities were confirmed nationwide this week, with deaths reported in 10 states including Oregon, New York, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Mississippi and Tennessee, according to authorities.
A 40-year-old male was pronounced dead from probable hypothermia in the 4400 block of W. Woolworth Avenue after being found on a heating mechanism near railroad tracks, according to authorities in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.
One person was also found dead following a fatal the crash on a snowy road on Jan. 14, on Highway 13 near Collins Road in rural White County, Arkansas State Police said.
Two additional weather-related deaths were also confirmed in Mississippi.
Over 1,000 flights have been canceled Wednesday amid the rough winter weather.
Dangerous cold
On Wednesday, the wind chill — what the temperature feels like — plunged to minus 14 degrees in Chicago and minus 13 degrees in Nashville, Tennessee.
Typically warm Tampa, Florida, was also under a wind chill advisory Wednesday.
And the brutal cold isn’t letting up this weekend. On Saturday, the wind chill is forecast to reach minus 14 degrees in Chicago, minus 24 degrees in Kansas City, Missouri, and minus 1 in Memphis, Tennessee.
More snow
Lake-effect snow warnings have been issued in Buffalo and Watertown, New York, where snowfall totals could reach 3 feet by Thursday night. Residents should be prepared for whiteout conditions and snowfall rates reaching 2 inches per hour.
Buffalo officials issued a travel ban from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday, forcing the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres to postpone their game against the Chicago Blackhawks to Thursday.
Buffalo Public Schools are closed Wednesday and Thursday.
Another storm is also heading toward the Pacific Northwest. Ice storm warnings are in effect for parts of Washington and Oregon.
In the Colorado Rockies, the avalanche danger is very high on Wednesday.
Up to 2 feet of heavy snow will move from the Cascade mountains to the northern and central Rockies Wednesday into Thursday.
By Thursday, the snow will reach South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri.
Thursday night into Friday, heavy snow will strike parts of the Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.
On Friday, the snow will reach Washington, D.C., and New York City. One to 3 inches of snow is likely for the Interstate 95 corridor from D.C. to New York to Connecticut.
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