Winter Storm In US: Emergency Declared In Six States, 63 Million Americans Affected

New York: About 63 million Americans are under weather alerts. The country is in grip of a severe winter storm that has unleashed snow, ice and strong winds across the central US. The storm is likely to bring frigid temperatures and the heaviest snowfall of the decade, according to reports. A state of emergency has been declared in six US states including Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Kansas, Arkansas and Missouri. The hazardous weather may also delay the certification of President-elect Donald Trump.

Weather warnings have been issued for large parts of Canada and 30 states in the US from Kansas to the East Coast, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). The region from Ohio to the capital, Washington DC, is likely to receive snowfall of 6-12 in (15-30 cm), reported the WION. Parts of Florida are also expected to witness freezing weather conditions, reports stated.

But what has caused this severe weather? These are caused due to the polar vortex, according to meteorologists. A polar vortex is an area of cold air circulating around the Arctic. It has now reached the US.

Parts of upstate New York have experienced at least 3ft of snow so far, while parts of northern Missouri and Kansas have observed 14 in and 10 in of snow respectively, the WION reported. Blizzard warnings have been issued in Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.

Travel delays expected

Several delays in flights, trains, and road travel are expected. About 1,500 flights have been cancelled, while 5,000 have been delayed, according to FlightAware.com. Amtrak rail services have also announced the cancellation of several trains.