While some parts of the country were waiting for a respite Wednesday from the bitter cold, other areas were under winter cold warnings ahead of another arctic blast that was expected to bring temperatures plummeting.
Widespread wind chill advisories and advisories were in effect through Wednesday morning in the Pacific Northwest, Midwest and South, where wind chills were expected to drop below zero again, according to the National Weather Service. Hard freeze warnings were also issued for parts of the South, especially along the Gulf Coast, where the weather could damage water pipes and sensitive plants.
The momentary relief from the cold air will bring temperatures closer to winter averages. Parts of south and east Texas are expected to experience “real” warmth, with highs in the 60s and 70s, the weather service said. The respite will be short-lived for some when cooler temperatures return across the northern and central Plains by Thursday.
Severe weather led to school closures and chaotic travel conditions Tuesday when Arctic air from Canada brought temperatures to below freezing in three-quarters of the country. About 68 million Americans were under a winter weather warning, and the snow drought in New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., ended after two years. More than 10,000 flights were delayed or canceled Tuesday.
At least 14 deaths have been linked to the weather over the past few days. Five people in Oregon died of hypothermia and two were killed by falling trees. A truck collided with a snowmobile in Utah, a skier was killed in an avalanche in Wyoming, and three people died of suspected hypothermia in Wisconsin. On a slippery Garden State Parkway in New Jersey, two people were killed Tuesday when their SUV collided with a snowplow. On Tuesday, the Tennessee Department of Health confirmed six weather-related deaths.
About 4 inches of snow fell in the Washington, D.C., area, forcing the closure of many businesses, offices and schools. The snow had ended, but the deep freeze had just begun, and the temperature was not expected to rise above freezing until Thursday. By Friday, the emergence of another system could mean another deep freeze lasting throughout the weekend.
What are the coldest cities in the United States?A cold front sweeping across the nation sends temperatures plummeting
Developments:
∎ More than 1,400 flights across the U.S. were delayed or canceled Wednesday morning, according to Flight Aware. The airports experiencing the largest travel delays were in New York and Washington, D.C
∎ Across the country, 197,000 households were without power early Wednesday morning, according to a database maintained by USA TODAY. Most of the power outages — 85,000 — were reported in Oregon. In Texas, 22,000 utility customers lost power.
∎ Classes have been canceled for millions of students, including Portland, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Dallas and Baltimore. Many schools canceled classes for Wednesday as well.
∎ In Kentucky, Powell County Search and Rescue led a team that successfully rescued four hikers trapped in the Red River Gorge, calling the operation “one of the most dangerous rescues ever conducted in the gorge.”
Oregon homes lose power in storms
While the vast majority of Americans suffering from freezing temperatures can find relief inside warm homes and businesses, more than 70,000 people were experiencing power outages Wednesday morning in Oregon, where seven weather-related deaths occurred over recent days.
The Pacific Northwest was generally bracing for freezing rain and ice, but western Oregon was expecting the worst, with the state's three largest cities — Portland, Salem and Eugene — expected to get up to a half-inch of ice early Wednesday before… that. Postponed for later today.
Many residents will have to brave cold weather without heat after some areas lost power due to a weekend storm and severe weather hampered repair efforts. Although smaller-scale power outages have hit other parts of the country, no other state has as many as 10,000 electric customers in the dark, according to poweroutage.us.
Oregon weather map
US weather monitoring and warnings
National weather radar
