On Tuesday morning, Americans awoke to the coldest temperature it has been since 1976.
According to the National Weather Service and meteorologist Eric Holthaus, all 50 states hit 32 degrees or lower on Tuesday, November 18. Even a state as warm as Hawaii, where there is Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano that reaches 13,800 feet above sea level, hit such a cold temperature.
An extremely strong invasion of Arctic air has begun to travel south from Canada and has already reached Southern states like Florida. Another surge of cold air is pushing its way into the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest and is heading eastward.
This past week has been a record breaker, in terms of temperature, for 43 states. With more than 400 record lows and record cool highs set, it is clear that this surge of cold air has affected many states and millions of Americans, who are experiencing average January-highs in mid-November.
In some places, Americans are experiencing not only freezing temperatures, but several inches, if not feet, of snow. Buffalo, New York, for example, encountered more than 6 feet of snow – and more is expected.
The snow left citizens stuck in cars and forced emergency responders to depend on volunteer-provided snowmobiles. It has also taken the lives of citizens as it continues to accumulate in the Northeast areas.
At least 13 people died as a result of the rough weather. In ErieCounty, two of the victims reportedly died of heart attacks while shoveling snow, according to NBC News. A 46 year-old man from Alden, New York, died in his car after it became trapped under 15 feet of snow.
The cause of this disaster: Arctic air flowing over the rather warm Great Lakes is resulting in extreme snowfall.
CNN meteorologist, Chad Myers, refers to it as “thunder snow.”
“The steam from the lake… (is) still much warmer than the air,” he explained. “The air is in the teens and the water is the 40s. That steam comes up and wants to rise. That rise… creates a thunderstorm but it’s so cold it doesn’t rain. It just snows.”
As of Sunday, November 23, warmer weathers are threatening a flood in the parts of New York that were buried under 7 feet of snow just a week ago.
New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo, announced that residents in the Buffalo area should now prepare to evacuate their homes.
“Flooding, in my opinion, is worse than dealing with snow,” Cuomo stated. “It’s not water, it’s a toxic brew.”
The National Weather Service also advised that people stay off the roads, and officials said all residents in the area should unplug their electronics.
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz created a plan to prepare backup generators, pumps, snow removal systems, and swift water rescue crews in the upcoming days. The Red Cross has also begun to take action by setting up shelters.
The relief from the early-cold won’t last long. According to the National Weather Service, “a return to reality” will come by mid-week in the form of much colder temperatures.