After a relatively mild November, winter is making its way through the United States by storm. In Chicago alone, a record of 600 crashes was recorded on the weekend because of the heavy winter.
With temperatures going down to as low as 15 to 30 degrees in the coming days, much of the Midwestern and Eastern states will not be looking at smooth travel conditions. According to CBS News, the National Weather Service had forecasted a brewing storm in the Great Plains that will travel towards upstate New York is expected to bring 3 to 6 inches of snow to the affected states.
Traveling has been discouraged throughout the states to avoid further accidents. Social media postings have reported a plane that skid off the runway in Detroit. Meanwhile, according to KY3, Chicago O'Hare flights have already been canceled and several other flights in and near the area have been delayed and on standby. Drivers are advised to take it slow and be extra cautious to prevent additional traffic accidents due to reduced visibility and road conditions.
If New York goes as low as 15 degrees this week, it will go down on record as the lowest reading early during winter in about 11 years. Meteorologists are attributing this to a phenomenon called polar vortex. Two years ago, it was first presented to the public as similar record-breaking winter temperatures hit the country.
According to the National Weather Services, the polar vortex is a large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding both of the Earth's poles. This stays in close proximity to the poles but grows stronger in winter. Vortex is the term applied to the flow of air that moves in a counter-clockwise direction that keeps the colder air near the. At times, this expands and as a result sends cold air southward; fairly regularly during wintertime and accounts for the blast of Arctic air that pervades the United States. The latest notable occurrence was recorded in January 2014 and some other colder ones in the past dates back to 1977.
For travelers, especially, frustration on delayed flight schedules can be felt but safety comes first. Caution is advised to all affected states and if there is no urgent need to go out; NWS further insist that people stay home.
