A significant snowstorm has affected 16 states from California to Michigan, bringing heavy snowfall and triggering weather alerts. Thousands are left powerless as crews work to restore electricity amid unpredictable weather patterns.
A significant snowstorm has affected 16 states across the US, from California to Michigan, triggering weather alerts for snow and blizzards. In New England, the storm has already left thousands without power due to heavy snowfall reaching up to 2 feet. Northern New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and much of Maine have received about 12 inches of snow. Despite the onset of spring, winter-like conditions prevail with additional thunderstorms, hail, and tornadoes forecasted for Kansas and Oklahoma. Moreover, Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana are preparing for severe storms.
The National Weather Service has issued blizzard warnings affecting areas from Colorado and Kansas to Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota, predicting up to ten inches of snowfall. This weather has made travel extremely difficult in many regions, with heavy snowfall and winds exceeding 50 miles per hour.
Furthermore, Southern California experienced heavy rain and hail, accompanied by wind gusts of up to 60 mph. This severe weather follows a record warm winter in the US, highlighting the unpredictable nature of current weather systems.
An unusual aspect of this storm is the predicted visibility of the northern lights as far south as the Midwest, due to a severe solar storm. This natural phenomenon is a result of coronal mass ejections from the sun colliding with Earth’s magnetic field.
In the wake of the storm, around 160,000 homes and businesses in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont were left without power. Crews across the affected regions are actively working to restore electricity and clear roads as the storm continues to cause disruption with strong winds and additional snowfall.