Dangerous Arctic air and icy conditions are gripping much of the United States, leading to at least 61 weather-related deaths as heavy snowfall blankets the Northeast and Midwest. Subzero wind chills in Minneapolis and Chicago are making temperatures feel as low as minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit, and Southern cities are bracing for a deep freeze as well. The bitter cold has led to treacherous conditions on roadways, causing multiple deaths and hazardous travel in many states. With heavy rain expected in Northern California and thousands of residents in the Portland area still without power, the frigid weather is taking a toll across the country.
Football fans in Baltimore and Buffalo are having to bundle up in multiple layers in order to endure the bone-chilling cold at outdoor games this weekend. Meanwhile, heavy rain in Northern California and thousands of residents in the Portland, Oregon, area are still without power from a round of freezing rain on Friday. The latest cold snap is expected to improve after the weekend, with a “steady warm-up” forecast for the middle of the country beginning Sunday. Despite the challenging conditions, emergency officials are cautioning those in affected areas to take necessary precautions to avoid frostbite and hypothermia with prolonged outdoor exposure. The growing number of weather-related fatalities and widespread inconveniences brought about by the Arctic blast is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by extreme winter weather.