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| Severe winter storm puts much of US on high alert | Severe winter storm puts much of US on high alert |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Watch: Heavy snow as severe US winter storm moves east | Watch: Heavy snow as severe US winter storm moves east |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. | 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, sweeping down through Canada. | |
| Watch: Snow blankets parts of New York and Nebraska | Watch: Snow blankets parts of New York and Nebraska |
| Follow live updates on this story | Follow live updates on this story |
| The storm has already hit the Central Plains and is expected to arrive at the US east coast by Sunday evening. | The storm has already hit the Central Plains and is expected to arrive at the US east coast by Sunday evening. |
| Parts of upstate New York have experienced at least 3ft (91cm) of snow so far. | Parts of upstate New York have experienced at least 3ft (91cm) of snow so far. |
| Washington DC is bracing for between 5-9in of snow, while Philadelphia could get 2-4in. | Washington DC is bracing for between 5-9in of snow, while Philadelphia could get 2-4in. |
| Nearly four million people are under blizzard warnings in Kansas and Missouri, where wind gusts of 40mph were projected. | 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. | 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. |
| Severe travel delays are expected. Nearly 3,000 flights into and out of the US have been cancelled, according to FlightAware.com. | Severe travel delays are expected. Nearly 3,000 flights into and out of the US have been cancelled, according to FlightAware.com. |
| 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. |
| Conditions on roads have deteriorated, with crashes involving lorries and cars, as well as a fire engine rolling over near Salina, Kansas. | Conditions on roads have deteriorated, with crashes involving lorries and cars, as well as a fire engine rolling over near Salina, Kansas. |
| 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 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. |
| "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. |
| Portions of the southern US including Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, may see severe thunderstorms. | 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." |
| How have you been affected by the storm? Share your experiences by following this link. | How have you been affected by the storm? Share your experiences by following this link. |
| Get in touch | Get in touch |
| How has the winter storm affected you? Tell us your experience. | How has the winter storm affected you? Tell us your experience. |