More than 120 million Americans are bracing for what forecasters are calling one of the most significant winter storms to hit the United States in recent years. Dubbed “Vern,” the massive system is expected to impact over a third of the nation’s population, stretching over 3,000 kilometers from the Southwest to the East Coast.
The National Weather Service has issued warnings about treacherous road conditions and potentially life-threatening travel. The combination of heavy snow and strong winds could severely limit visibility, topple trees, and trigger widespread power outages. Officials are urging residents to prepare for prolonged periods without electricity.
The storm is predicted to bring blizzard conditions to the Southern states, parts of the Midwest, and the East Coast, including the New York metropolitan area and Washington, D.C.
Airlines have already canceled hundreds of flights in anticipation of the storm. Airports in Dallas, Atlanta, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa are among those affected. Schools in Chicago and Des Moines, Iowa, have also canceled classes in response to the impending weather.
The most alarming aspect of the storm is the potential for dangerously low wind chill temperatures. In some areas, wind chills could plummet to -37 degrees Celsius, making even brief outdoor exposure hazardous.
Utility companies are mobilizing crews to respond to potential power outages. CenterPoint Energy, which serves over 2.8 million customers in the Houston area, has deployed over 3,300 personnel to address any issues arising from the storm.
By Sunday, heavy snowfall is expected in the Mid-Atlantic states, while icy conditions will persist in northern Georgia and the Carolinas. Forecasters anticipate that “Vern” will begin to weaken after that.
