Key events
School closings are expected to be widespread Monday. Districts in Indiana, Virginia and Kentucky began announcing cancellations and delays on Sunday afternoon. Kentucky’s Jefferson County Public Schools canceled classes, extracurricular activities and athletics for its nearly 100,000 students.
Classes also have been cancelled in Maryland, where Governor Wes Moore announced the state government would be closed Monday.
“Keeping Marylanders safe is our top priority. Please stay off the roads during this storm. Prepare your home and family and charge your communications devices in case you lose power,” Moore said in a statement.
Congress to meet amid winter storm to certify 2024 election results
The freezing weather will be felt in Washington DC as Congress plans to meet to certify the election results for President-elect Donald Trump.
A winter storm warning is in force until 0100 EST on Tuesday with heavy snow is expected during the Monday morning commute.
January 6 is the date required by law. But the legacy of events on this day in 2021 hangs over proceedings as the Republican who tried to overturn the previous election is legitimately returning to power.
The tightest national security is in place, a reminder of what happened at the US Capitol four years ago. Then, defeated Trump sent a mob to “fight like hell.” No violence, protests or objections are expected this time, Associated Press reports.
What impact the weather might have is yet to be seen but yesterday Mike Johnson told Fox News: “Whether we’re in a blizzard or not, we are going to be in that chamber making sure this is done.”
The Republican House Speaker helped lead Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
The polar vortex of ultra-cold air usually spins around the North Pole. People in the US, Europe and Asia experience its intense cold when the vortex escapes and plunges southward, as in the current conditions.
Studies show a fast-warming Arctic is partly to blame for the increasing frequency of the polar vortex extending its icy grip.
Seven states declare emergencies amid warnings snow could be heaviest in a decade
A major winter blast of snow, ice, wind and plunging temperatures in the US created dangerous travel conditions from central and southern states all the way to the East Coast early Monday, amid warnings some areas could face the heaviest snow in a decade.
A state of emergency has been declared in seven states – Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Arkansas and parts of New Jersey
Schools and government offices in several areas will be closed on Monday, Associated Press reports.
Snow and ice blanketed major roads across Kansas, western Nebraska and parts of Indiana, where the state’s National Guard was activated to help stranded motorists. At least 20cm of snow was expected, along with gusting winds up to 45 mph (72kph).
The National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings from Kansas and Missouri all the way to New Jersey.
“For locations in this region that receive the highest snow totals, it may be the heaviest snowfall in at least a decade,” the weather service said.