A massive winter storm unleashed snow and freezing rain across a vast swathe of the United States on 24 January, creating hazardous conditions from New Mexico to North Carolina. The system swept towards the north-east, posing a severe threat to tens of millions of Americans with potential blackouts, major transportation disruptions, and dangerously cold temperatures.
Storm System Moves Across the Nation
After battering the south-west and central regions of the country, the intense storm began to impact the heavily populated mid-Atlantic and north-eastern states. A frigid air mass settled in nationwide, exacerbating the wintry conditions and leading to widespread challenges for residents and infrastructure.
Scenes from Washington DC and New York City
In the nation's capital, a man was seen walking along the snow-covered National Mall, while elsewhere in Washington DC, a driver received assistance on Connecticut Ave NW after becoming stuck. Children enjoyed sledging near the iconic US Capitol building, with one woman even flipping over on a hill outside the landmark. Over in New York City, a man pulled a child on a sledge near the Manhattan Bridge, and a person crossed the street during snowfall near Times Square. Transportation hubs felt the strain, with a United Airlines plane taxiing on a snowy runway at LaGuardia airport and a 7-line subway train arriving at Court Square station amidst the wintry backdrop.
Impact on Other Major Cities and Regions
The storm's effects were felt far and wide. In Philadelphia, a winter scene unfolded as snow blanketed the city. St Louis, Missouri, saw nearly empty meat shelves at grocery stores as food supplies ran low ahead of the storm, while a pedestrian pulled a rolling suitcase through snow-covered downtown streets. Little Rock, Arkansas, witnessed a car stuck in the snow, and in Tulsa, Oklahoma, snow covered the city in an aerial view, with a homeless person walking along snow-covered streets downtown. Dallas, Texas, airport workers were busy de-icing American Airlines planes to keep operations moving.
Preparations and Ongoing Challenges
Residents scrambled to prepare, with people shopping for supplies at a Home Depot in Falls Church, Virginia, before the storm hit. The aftermath included a snow-covered highway in the Queens borough of New York City, highlighting the persistent travel difficulties. The storm system, characterised by its breadth and intensity, continued to threaten communities with bone-chilling cold and the risk of prolonged power outages as it advanced.
This widespread winter event underscores the significant disruption caused by severe weather across multiple states, affecting daily life, travel, and essential services for millions.
