US Cold Snap Breaks Records

a { color: #880000 !important; background: #ffeeee !important; } Latest News from NourishThe Nourish Mission (formerly OneSub)Get answers to today's big questionsUS Cold Snap Breaks Recordsenvironment > weatherA severe Arctic cold wave has swept across the eastern US, causing record low temperatures, widespread power outages, and over 110 deaths. Major cities like New York and Nashville face extreme conditions, with ongoing recovery efforts and warnings of dangerous weather into early February.

What's happened

A severe Arctic cold wave has swept across the eastern US, causing record low temperatures, widespread power outages, and over 110 deaths. Major cities like New York and Nashville face extreme conditions, with ongoing recovery efforts and warnings of dangerous weather into early February.

What's behind the headline?

The current cold wave underscores the increasing volatility of winter weather patterns, likely linked to climate variability. The widespread power outages and fatalities highlight vulnerabilities in infrastructure and emergency preparedness, especially in poorer regions like Mississippi and Tennessee. The storm's timing and severity reveal how Arctic air masses are now more capable of penetrating deep into the US, driven by weakening polar vortex winds possibly affected by global warming. This event will likely accelerate discussions on climate resilience and infrastructure upgrades. The ongoing storm also exposes the stark disparities in emergency response, with wealthier cities opening warming centers while some areas, like Nashville, face criticism for utility failures. The storm's persistence into early February suggests that the US must adapt to more frequent and intense cold snaps, which will impact energy demand, public health, and economic activity.

What the papers say

The New York Times reports that the storm has caused over 110 deaths and widespread power outages, emphasizing the severity of the cold wave and its impact on vulnerable populations. The NY Post highlights the record-breaking temperatures and the historic nature of the cold snap, noting that New York City issued its first extreme cold warning since 2004. The Independent provides a broader regional perspective, detailing the storm's effects from Florida to the Northeast, including snowfalls, coastal erosion, and utility failures. It also discusses the economic and environmental consequences, such as crop damage in Florida and the collapse of unoccupied homes in North Carolina's Outer Banks. Oliver Milman from The Guardian points out the global context, suggesting that weakening polar vortex winds, possibly due to climate change, are contributing to these extreme cold events. The articles collectively portray a picture of a nation grappling with unprecedented winter weather, exposing infrastructural weaknesses and societal disparities.

How we got here

The cold wave originated from Arctic air moving south from Canada, intensifying due to a polar vortex weakening. This led to historic low temperatures, snowstorms, and coastal erosion across the US, especially in the South and Northeast, following a series of winter storms and ice events since late January.

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