A relentless wave of lake-effect snow has been hitting the northern parts of the United States for the past week, with snow totals exceeding 5 feet in some areas. Heavy snow is expected downwind from Lakes Erie and Ontario, as well as in parts of Northern New England, accompanied by high winds that could lead to blizzard conditions. Erie, Pennsylvania, and Watertown, N.Y., have already seen significant snowfall, with more expected in the coming days.
The frigid temperatures in the Midwest and Northeast are due to a surge of arctic air, although forecasters believe temperatures will start to rise over the weekend. The cold air is predicted to move east and south, affecting parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. Schools have been closed for multiple days across the region, with districts trying to make up for lost time when possible.
In Texas, preparations are underway to prevent a repeat of the power outages experienced during the 2021 winter storm Uri, which caused blackouts and led to numerous deaths. The state’s grid operator is bracing for potential overload in early 2025 due to expected extreme cold weather patterns. Despite increased spikes in cold weather events, average winter temperatures in Texas remain relatively warm. Last winter was the 11th warmest in over a century.
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