New York State has announced a state of emergency in anticipation of an approaching severe winter storm labeled as “catastrophic.”
During a recent press briefing, Governor Kathy Hochul formally declared the emergency, highlighting the readiness of the state and the availability of ample salt supplies for road treatment. Hochul also permitted all state employees to work remotely on Monday.
Fourteen states have already declared emergencies as the US prepares for heavy snow, ice, and freezing rain. This weather event is expected due to a convergence of a low-pressure system in the Southwest and moisture from the Gulf of Mexico meeting extremely cold Arctic air from Canada.
The National Weather Service (NWS) reported that the storm originating over the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains will impact southern and midwestern states starting Friday, then move across the east coast on Saturday, extending as far north as Maine by Sunday.
NWS warnings indicate that the storm will bring widespread heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain from the Southern Rockies to New England, covering areas from Texas through Washington DC, New York, and Boston.
Approximately 160 million people, nearly half the US population across 30 states, are expected to be affected by snow and ice, with some regions forecasted to receive over 12 inches of snow by the weekend’s end. States that have declared emergencies include Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
The winter storm is a combination of heavy snow, blowing snow, and/or dangerous wind chills, as described by NOAA’s National Severe Storms Laboratory.
NWS alerts specify that the storm may lead to significant ice accumulations and could result in long-lasting power outages, extensive tree damage, and hazardous travel conditions.
US President Donald Trump, known for his stance on climate change, recently commented on the expected cold wave, questioning the concept of global warming.
Meteorologists attribute the surge of Arctic air across North America to the Polar Vortex, a large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding the poles. Scientific studies suggest that disruptions in the polar vortex, potentially caused by Arctic warming, can lead to extreme winter weather events.