The US hit by massive storm

A massive storm has hit the US and resulted in loss of electricity for thousands of people, as well as tornadoes and delayed flights

Blizzards are blocking roads in the northern Great Plains, and tornadoes have touched down in Texas and Oklahoma, cutting electricity to thousands of people and delaying flights, with widespread effects throughout the United States.

According to US Weather Prediction Center senior forecaster Frank Pereira, snowfall rates of up to 2 inches per hour are expected across South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Nebraska, with zero visibility on most roads due to the combination of snowfall and winds of up to 60 mph. Thunderstorms and potentially tornadoes will affect much of Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Louisiana as a lengthy cold front extends from the eye of the storm over the southern Plains.

Heavy snow, blizzards, and rain may last for many days in the north because we are talking about a stagnant moving system, Pereira warned. Heavy rains hit the Oklahoma City region, and they're still soaking Dallas and Fort Worth right now.

Congestion and flights disruption

As a result of the severe snowfall, several road closures have occurred over the northern Plains. Moreover, FlightAware, an airline flight monitoring service, reports hundreds of delayed aircraft at DFW International Airport.

Forecasters were keeping an eye on a possible twister just north of Dallas as the Dallas region was under a tornado watch. PowerOutage.us reports that around 39,000 people throughout the state of Texas are now without electricity.

Pereira predicted that a secondary system would form off the US East Coast later this week as the enormous storm moved north and east. Washington, Baltimore, and potentially Philadelphia might be impacted by ice. Rain is expected to New York City and Boston, but also snow to the cities in the north and west. More powerfull thunderstorms and tornadoes are expected for Louisiana and Mississippi.

 

Source: finance.yahoo.com