Extreme winter weather in the United States has led to hundreds of accidents and forced millions to stay indoors. Seven states have declared a state of emergency, and weather warnings are in effect in thirty states.
Record snowfalls of 38 to 48 centimeters have been reported in some areas. Traffic accidents in Missouri and Kansas have resulted in fatalities, with emergency services assisting 600 stranded motorists in Missouri alone.
In Virginia, local police recorded over 200 accidents in 12 hours. Parts of Indiana have issued an essential travel warning, allowing only necessary travel like medical emergencies.
The extreme weather, attributed to storm Blair, is caused by the polar vortex, which sometimes moves southward due to rapid Arctic warming.
Source: NOS