Winter storm cancels and delays thousands of flights; some states left scorching while others freeze
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The Midwestern and northern parts of the US continue to deal with rain, snow and high-velocity winds brought on by the storm from coast to coast, while southern states are experiencing record temperatures.
In Minnesota, several feet of snow blocked flights from Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport, while nearby states saw roads paralyzed by the precipitation.
The northern Plains states have recorded temperatures of -9 degrees, while McAllen, Texas, hit 95 degrees Wednesday, marking a difference of more than 100 degrees between the coldest and warmest states.
In typically sunny Los Angeles, the National Weather Service issued the first blizzard warning Wednesday and officials warned of “extremely dangerous mountainous conditions” for the county.
To the southeast, parts of Florida are expected to hit 91 degrees Fahrenheit Thursday, which would break a record previously set in 1962 at 90 degrees.
States in the Northern Plains have recorded temperatures of -9 degrees, while McAllen, Texas, hit 95 degrees Wednesday, marking a difference of more than 100 degrees between the coldest and warmest states.
According to FlightAware, in Minneapolis, more than 200 flights leaving the local airport were canceled and 223 arrivals were held up due to weather.
As of Wednesday night, more than 65 million Americans were under weather watches and alerts.
The advisories spanned more than two dozen states from California to Maine.
The Midwestern states saw the worst conditions on Tuesday and Wednesday. By the end of the multi-day storm, the Minneapolis area could see more than two feet.
Another round of snow is expected to hit the area Thursday morning, National Weather Service officials said.
Conditions became so treacherous Wednesday afternoon that the Minnesota Department of Transportation announced the closure of state highways.
According reported flightIn Minneapolis, more than 200 flights leaving the local airport were canceled and 223 arrivals were halted due to weather.
In all, more than 1,600 flights have been canceled by the storm.
Almost 6,000 flights have been delayed.
A truck ran off Highway 94 in Minnesota
A Minnesota maintenance worker clears snow in front of the closed school as students stayed home for distance learning for the week during a snowstorm in Minneapolis.
In total, more than 1,600 flights have been canceled by the storm.
Almost 6,000 flights have been delayed
Between Wyoming, Minnesota, Wisconsin and the Dakotas, more than two million people were under blizzard warnings Wednesday.
In Wyoming, video shared on Twitter by AccuWeather shows a truck stuck on a hill in snowy conditions.
Another vehicle is attached to the truck and it turns while trying to drive the truck off the hill in Casper.
The Wyoming Food Bank and schools across the state announced closures due to wind and snow.
At one point, officials announced that portions of Interstate 25 and Interstate 80 were closed due to snow and icy conditions.
Ice storms remain possible for nine million people from Iowa to Michigan and for residents in the mid-Atlantic areas.
Meanwhile, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio face flooding concerns from heavy rain and gusty winds.
Snow and winds also knocked out power for thousands of residents in Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado on Tuesday and Wednesday.
In the northern parts of Arizona, up to a foot of precipitation is expected by Thursday morning.
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A traveler puts on makeup while waiting at Salt Lake City International Airport after her flight was canceled Wednesday.
Motorists move along the northbound lanes of Interstate 25 near the Air Force Academy after a winter storm with heavy snow and single-digit temperatures tore through the area.
A winter storm brought strong winds and snow Wednesday to parts of Arizona and New Mexico, leaving thousands without power.
A person shovels his sidewalk in Provo, Utah
A man walks along the Santa Fe Rail Runner Station, New Mexico Depot through a snow storm
A view of Half Dome as snow covered Yosemite National Park in California, United States, on February 22, 202
Snow had already fallen in California’s Central Valley on Wednesday afternoon.
California, which is not typically known for seeing snow in its southern areas, has also been placed under advisories for snow conditions.
Snow had already fallen in the Central Valley on Wednesday afternoon just as National Weather Service officials warned of snow in Los Angeles.
A blizzard warning is approaching for extremely dangerous mountainous conditions.
Trips to the mountains will be a disaster,” NWS said.
However, snow and rain did not hit all of the typically warm areas.
Tennessee, Alabama, West Virginia and Texas all recorded temperatures in the 70s and 80s on Tuesday and Wednesday.
McAllen, Texas, which sits along the US-Mexico border, hit 95 on Wednesday.
The heat will continue to affect the southern states as temperatures are forecast to rise on Thursday.
Orlando, Florida, is looking at breaking a February heat record if the thermometer reads 91 degrees, which is expected.