The United States is currently preparing for a snowier and colder Christmas than usual, due to a powerful and unusual storm – a “cyclone bomb” that is expected to hit in the coming days. Similar preparations are also recorded in Canada, with some calling the storm “once in a generation”.
So far, over a hundred million people across countries have been affected by extreme weather, and found themselves “confined” to their homes, on one of the busiest days – just two days before Christmas. Thousands of flights have been canceled so far, and many countries have declared a state of emergency due to the situation, where the abnormal temperatures can lead to frostbite in just five to ten minutes, and this Christmas is expected to be the coldest day in decades.
More than 9,000 flights were canceled as the storm intensified in recent days and many countries on the continent declared alertness for temperatures expected to drop below zero. New York State Governor Kathy Hokul declared a state of emergency in the state ahead of the storm. “The threat of flooding and ice is going to wreak havoc on our community,” she said. The governors of Kentucky, North Carolina, West Virginia, Georgia and Oklahoma also declared states of emergency, while Wisconsin declared an “energy emergency.” According to the National Weather Service, the storm will bring life-threatening freezing temperatures.
Environment Canada has issued weather warnings for every province and territory across Canada. According to the ministry reports, parts outside of the Vancouver area are under extreme cold warnings.
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As you may remember, Biden warned the US citizens yesterday (Wednesday) of the approaching storm, saying: “It is dangerous and threatening, it is really very serious weather and it is moving from Oklahoma to Wyoming and Maine. Please listen to local weather warnings.”
The extreme weather expected in the coming days in the United States is expected to include, among other things, snow and gusts of wind at a speed of 100 km per hour. As part of the preparations, the White House has so far spoken with 26 governors in areas already affected by the weather.