A severe winter storm blanketed the Central and Eastern US with snow and ice. The intense system triggered a state of emergency across several states, from Kansas and Missouri to New Jersey. The Midwest was hit the hardest.
On January 5, 2025, Kansas City International Airport recorded 11 inches (27.9 cm) of snow. This is the fourth-largest single-day snowfall in the state’s history since records began in 1888. Meanwhile, Cincinnati, Ohio, saw a record-breaking snowfall of 8.4 inches (21.3 cm) surpassing the previous record of 6.9 inches (17.5 cm) set in 1977.
The heart of the country bore the brunt of the storm. However, the frigid weather is being felt along the entire eastern coast, reaching as far south as Florida. Over the next few days, wind chills in northern Florida are expected to drive temperatures as low as 20°F (-6.6°C).
The extreme cold is linked to the polar vortex — a massive, rotating pocket of frigid air around the North and South Poles. It spins counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. The vortex is typically strongest in winter and usually remains near the poles. However, when it weakens or becomes unbalanced, pockets of frigid air escape, bringing extreme cold weather to surrounding areas.
Fortunately, the severe weather will not last too long. Experts predict the temperatures to rise by mid-January. If you are among the millions affected, bundle up and stay indoors as much as possible. With severe wind chills, frostbite can occur within minutes on exposed skin!
Resources: AlJazeera.com, quadcities.com, CNN.com, CBSnews.com
