What to know about winter storm hitting North America

A significant winter storm is currently affecting a large portion of the United States, bringing with it heavy snow, ice, and extremely low temperatures. More than 60 million Americans are under various weather alerts due to this storm. As many people wake up on Monday morning, they are greeted with frigid temperatures, particularly in Kansas, which is expected to experience some of the coldest conditions. Meanwhile, the Washington DC area is preparing for an unusually heavy snowfall. This extreme weather event, referred to as Storm Blair, is attributed to the polar vortex, a large area of cold air that circulates around the Arctic region. By early Monday morning, reports indicated that approximately 1,400 flights had been canceled and another 800 delayed, according to FlightAware. com. A state of emergency has been declared in several states, including Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Arkansas, and parts of New Jersey. Additionally, much of Canada is also under weather alerts, as blizzard conditions have resulted in about a foot of snow in some areas. The National Weather Service (NWS) has reported that thirty states, stretching from the central United States to the east coast, including major cities like Washington DC and Philadelphia, are under weather alerts. On Sunday, which was predicted to be the most intense day of the storm, many residents in affected states found themselves with blocked roads and closed schools. On Monday, schools were shut down in Virginia, Maryland, Indiana, and Kentucky. Over the weekend, there were numerous reports of car accidents and stranded drivers in several Midwestern states, including Kansas, Indiana, Kentucky, and Virginia. Blizzard warnings have been issued for Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. Kansas City is experiencing its heaviest snowfall in 32 years, with more than a foot of snow already recorded. According to Matthew Cappucci, a senior meteorologist at the weather app MyRadar, parts of northern Missouri have already seen 14 inches of sleet and snow. The storm began its movement toward the east coast of the United States on Sunday, with Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC, and Delaware expected to bear the brunt of the storm. Washington DC is bracing for heavy snow and bitter cold on Monday, coinciding with the day when Congress is scheduled to meet and formally certify Donald Trump's election as president. However, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has stated that the weather will not hinder lawmakers from fulfilling their responsibilities. Nevertheless, officials have announced that federal offices in the nation's capital will be closed. The NWS has indicated that this winter storm could bring the heaviest snowfall seen in at least a decade, while AccuWeather forecaster Dan DePodwin has warned that this could lead to the coldest January for the US since 2011. He further noted that temperatures significantly below historical averages could persist for a week, with forecasts predicting temperatures 12 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit below normal. In northern regions, Canadians are also feeling the impact of the polar vortex, with much of the country under extreme weather alerts and freezing temperatures widespread. Some areas are experiencing snow squalls, which are sudden heavy snowfalls accompanied by strong winds. In Manitoba, the wind chill could cause temperatures to drop as low as -40 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, parts of Ontario were expected to receive as much as 15 inches of snow on Sunday. The NWS has highlighted areas that could experience significant impacts from the snowfall, particularly in regions like Washington DC. Areas further west may see moderate impacts, while those in the Midwest could experience minor effects. In some of the worst-affected areas, there is a high likelihood of receiving more than four inches of snow. Amtrak has canceled numerous rail services, and airlines such as American, Delta, Southwest, and United are waiving change fees for passengers due to the potential flight disruptions. Road conditions have deteriorated, leading to crashes involving both trucks and cars, as well as a fire engine rolling over near Salina, Kansas. The NWS has warned that 'whiteout conditions' will make travel extremely hazardous, with impassable roads and a high risk of motorists becoming stranded. Meanwhile, severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes were expected to move east from Arkansas and Louisiana into Mississippi and Alabama on Sunday evening, according to the NWS. Private meteorologist Ryan Maue has described the situation as 'a mess, a potential disaster,' noting that this is something we have not seen in quite some time.