Subfreezing temperatures across much of the U.S. left millions of Americans facing potentially dangerous cold Sunday as Arctic storms threatened near-blizzard conditions in the Northeast and several inches of snow in parts of the South.
The National Weather Service warned that windy, subfreezing conditions in Montana and the Dakotas could push wind chills as low as minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 56 Celsius).
An estimated 95 million people were under weather warnings or advisories for wind chills below zero F (minus 17 Celsius), according to the weather service. Forecasters said the severe cold was expected to push as far south as northern Texas.
Juan Villegas wore layers of clothing beneath his heavy coat Sunday as he and roughly a dozen subcontractors with shovels cleared snow in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, where snow covered park benches and partially buried fire hydrants the day before the state’s presidential caucuses.
Working in temperatures of minus 15 degrees F (minus 26 degrees C), Villegas said the best way to feel warm was to “just keep moving.”
“If you stay doing nothing, it’s when you really feel the cold,” Villegas said.
Much of Wisconsin remained under advisories through Monday afternoon, with predicted wind chills as low as 30 degrees below zero (minus 34 Celsius).
Even parts of northern Louisiana, Alabama and Georgia could see snow. In Shreveport, Louisiana, Mary Trammel was among residents who stocked up on bottled water, food and fuel for generators ahead of subfreezing weather forecast to bring up an inch (2.5 centimeters) of snow and leave roads coated in ice.
“It’s cold out here,” said Tramel, who told KSLA-TV she bought bread and ingredients for enough soup to last days. “I can get what I need and make sure the house is stored good.”
Officials warned people to stay off the roads in Buffalo, New York, where snowfall of 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 centimeters) was forecast. The storm forced the postponement of the Buffalo Bills-Pittsburgh Steelers NFL playoff game from Sunday to Monday.
Workers with shovels and trucks worked Sunday to clear snow from the field at Buffalo’s Highmark Stadium. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the Bills implored fans eager to lend a hand to hold off and await word when it will be safe to travel.
“Looks like a pretty good day to not have a football game,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Buffalo native, posted on X with a video clip of whiteout conditions in the western New York city.
At least one Bills player was out in the bad weather Sunday putting his newfound free time to good use. Offensive tackle Ryan Van Demark shared a video on Instagram showing fellow lineman Alec Anderson helping a motorist struggling with icy road conditions.
“Good Samaritan, Alec, helping the people,” Van Demark narrates on the brief clip posted Sunday.
Zack Taylor, a National Weather Service meteorologist in College Park, Maryland, warned some parts of the Northeast would see intense snowfall and extreme wind, with gusts up to 50 mph (89 kph) possible.
“That’s why they’re expecting to see near-blizzard conditions at times,” Taylor said.
Airports across the country were impacted. More than half of flights into and out of Buffalo Niagara International Airport were canceled. Scores of flights were also canceled or delayed at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Denver International Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Forecasters also warned that rapid bursts of heavy snow and wind could cause drastic and sudden drops in visibility in eastern Pennsylvania and parts of northern New Jersey and Delaware. The weather service warned squalls could bring “near whiteout conditions and a quick one-half inch of snow in just 10 to 15 minutes.”
Another Arctic storm that’s dumped heavy snowfall in the Rockies was forecast to push further south, potentially bringing 4 inches to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) of snow to portions of Arkansas, northern Mississippi and west Tennessee.
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency in advance to give utility trucks and trucks hauling essential supplies greater flexibility to respond.
