Super ice storm in the United States, emergency in the north-east

Snow, frost and sleet affect over 200 million people from New Mexico to Maine. Record rainfall expected between New England and major cities on the east coast

A super ice storm in the United States has hit the north-east of the country, including New York, with heavy snowfall and polar temperatures. The so-called “monster storm” has triggered a state of emergency in a long list of states, affecting an area stretching from New Mexico to Maine and encompassing over 200 million people.

According to weather forecasts, up to half a metre of snow could fall in the next 24 hours, particularly in New England. In New York, where schools will remain closed at the beginning of the week, up to 30 centimetres of snow is expected, a scenario that has not occurred for at least five years. Heavy snowfall is also expected in cities such as Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Washington, where hundreds of public transport buses have been stopped.

The National Weather Service reports a general deterioration in conditions starting at 6.30 am local time today. In the afternoon, sleet is expected, which, combined with falling night-time temperatures, is likely to further aggravate the situation. Roads could turn into veritable sheets of ice, as has already happened in recent days in the Midwest and South of the country. The wave of bad weather, linked to the super ice storm in the United States, is not expected to end before tomorrow.

The consequences are already severe in terms of essential services. It is estimated that at least 700,000 homes are without electricity in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Tennessee. In the latter state, around 120,000 homes are in the dark.

Transport has also been severely disrupted. Around 10,000 flights were cancelled over the weekend and, in addition to air traffic problems, many areas have seen a substantial paralysis of road traffic. The evolution of the super ice storm in the United States is being closely monitored by the authorities, while emergency warnings remain in place in several states.

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(Photo: © AndKronos)