This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0kvlkvzdgzo

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Severe winter storm puts much of US on high alert Severe winter storm puts much of US on high alert
(about 4 hours later)
Tens of millions of Americans are bracing for a huge winter storm that could bring the heaviest snowfall and coldest temperatures in over a decade. Watch: Heavy snow as severe US winter storm moves east
The storm, which started in the middle of the US, will move east in the next couple of days, the National Weather Service (NWS) said, with 30 states under weather alerts. More than 70 million Americans are under winter weather alerts as a huge winter storm is forecast to bring the heaviest snowfall and coldest temperatures in over a decade.
A state of emergency has been declared in Kentucky, Virginia, Kansas, Arkansas and Missouri and parts of the US unaccustomed to severe cold, including Mississippi and Florida, have been warned to expect treacherous conditions. Thirty states are under weather alerts in an area spanning 1,500 miles (2,400km) from Kansas to the East Coast, the National Weather Service (NWS) said.
A state of emergency has been declared in Kentucky, Virginia, Kansas, Arkansas and Missouri. Parts of the US unaccustomed to severe cold, including Mississippi, Texas and Florida, have been warned to expect treacherous conditions.
Forecasters say the extreme weather is being caused by the polar vortex, an area of cold air that circulates around the Arctic.Forecasters say the extreme weather is being caused by the polar vortex, an area of cold air that circulates around the Arctic.
Watch: Snow blankets parts of New York and Nebraska
Follow live updates on this storyFollow live updates on this story
Conditions on roads have already deteriorated, with poor weather leading to crashes involving lorries and cars, as well as a fire truck rolling over in Kansas, according to state highway patrol trooper Ben Gardner. The storm has already hit the Central Plains and is expected to arrive at the US east coast by Sunday evening.
He demonstrated how slippery highways are in a video of him sliding across the tarmac in a video posted on X. Parts of upstate New York have experienced at least 3ft (91cm) of snow so far.
Allow Twitter content? Washington DC is bracing for between 5-9in of snow, while Philadelphia could get 2-4in.
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’. Nearly four million people are under blizzard warnings in Kansas and Missouri, where wind gusts of 40mph were projected.
Parts of Kansas and Missouri are expected to see anywhere between 4-14in of snow, and Indiana could see up to 9in.
"For some, this could be the heaviest snowfall in over a decade," the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said."For some, this could be the heaviest snowfall in over a decade," the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said.
AccuWeather forecaster Dan DePodwin said: "This could lead to the coldest January for the US since 2011."AccuWeather forecaster Dan DePodwin said: "This could lead to the coldest January for the US since 2011."
He added that "temperatures that are well below historical average" could linger for a week.He added that "temperatures that are well below historical average" could linger for a week.
Those low temperatures will be on the east coast as well, where the storm is expected to reach by Sunday evening. Severe travel delays are expected.
In the central US, there will be "considerable disruptions to daily life" and "dangerous or impossible driving conditions and widespread closures" into Sunday, according to the NWS. Conditions on roads have deteriorated, with crashes involving lorries and cars, as well as a fire engine rolling over near Salina, Kansas.
Some areas of Kansas and Indiana could see at least 8in (20.3cm) of snow. In the central US, there will be "considerable disruptions to daily life" and "dangerous or impossible driving conditions and widespread closures" on Sunday, according to the NWS.
In parts of the Midwest, blizzards are possible.
"Whiteout conditions will make travel extremely hazardous, with impassable roads and a high risk of motorists becoming stranded," the NWS warned."Whiteout conditions will make travel extremely hazardous, with impassable roads and a high risk of motorists becoming stranded," the NWS warned.
Sleet and freezing rain is forecast for Missouri, Illinois, and swathes of Kentucky and West Virginia. Portions of the southern US including Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, may see severe thunderstorms.
As the storm moves east, millions more Americans will see record low temperatures, forecasters said.
Cities including Washington DC, Baltimore and Philadelphia are preparing for snowy and icy conditions from Sunday into Monday. Snowfall of between 5-12in could be recorded in parts of Virginia.
Also on Sunday, portions of the southern US including Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi may see severe thunderstorms.
Private meteorologist Ryan Maue said: "It's going to be a mess, a potential disaster. This is something we haven't seen in quite a while."Private meteorologist Ryan Maue said: "It's going to be a mess, a potential disaster. This is something we haven't seen in quite a while."
American, Delta, Southwest and United airlines are waiving change fees for passengers because of the potential flight disruptions.American, Delta, Southwest and United airlines are waiving change fees for passengers because of the potential flight disruptions.
How have you been affected by the storm? Share your experiences by following this link.
Get in touchGet in touch
How has the winter storm affected you? Tell us your experience.How has the winter storm affected you? Tell us your experience.