The northern United States is currently experiencing a major winter storm, with heavy snowfall and howling winds impacting large areas of the western and northern US. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued winter weather advisories for around 50 million people, warning of moderate, major, and extreme winter weather impacts from the West Coast to New England. Travel is not advised in the Upper Midwest due to blizzard conditions.
Schools in states such as North and South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin have been closed in anticipation of the storm, and snow, rain, and wind have closed a large stretch of interstate highway in the Southwest. More than two thousand flights have been cancelled or delayed in cities such as Chicago, Denver, and Minneapolis.
In Wyoming, almost all roads have been impacted, with multi-day closures likely on Interstates and secondary roads throughout the state. California has also been lashed by strong winds and snowfall, with more than 100,000 homes and businesses experiencing power outages.
The NWS Bay Area has warned of strong wind reports, including downed trees, roof damage, debris moving across roads, blowing sand that reduces visibility, and power outages. In Boulder Creek, a community in the Santa Cruz Mountains south of San Francisco, a one-year-old child was critically injured when a redwood crashed onto a home.
A blizzard warning has been issued for the mountains of Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, while the southeast and mid-Atlantic are preparing for higher-than-normal temperatures. UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain said that nearly the entire population of California will be able to see snow from some vantage point later this week.
The winter storm is causing significant disruption across the US. Residents are urged to stay inside and take precautions if they must venture out. Motorists are warned to dress appropriately in case they become stranded. Authorities have also warned that road travel will be nearly impossible in some areas. With widespread impacts, power outages may last longer than a day, so people are advised to be prepared with supplies.