A powerful winter storm system has swept across vast swathes of the United States, unleashing a treacherous mix of sleet, freezing rain and heavy snowfall. The severe weather event, which intensified on Sunday, has plunged regions into subzero temperatures, creating hazardous conditions and bringing critical infrastructure to a standstill.
Widespread Disruption and Hazardous Conditions
The storm's impact has been severe and multifaceted. Air and road traffic across affected areas has been paralysed, with major travel hubs experiencing significant delays and cancellations. The weight of accumulated ice has visibly strained the nation's power grid, leaving hundreds of thousands of residents, particularly in the Southeast, without electricity as lines became heavily draped in ice.
Visual Documentation of the Extreme Weather
This curated photo gallery, assembled by Associated Press photo editors, provides a stark visual record of the storm's ferocity. The images capture the extensive reach of the winter blast, documenting the icy grip on landscapes and the resultant challenges for communities. From frozen cityscapes to snow-laden rural roads, the collection illustrates the scale of the disruption.
Meteorologists reported that the storm delivered a potent combination of precipitation types, with freezing rain creating especially dangerous layers of ice on surfaces. This has led to warnings for residents to avoid unnecessary travel and to prepare for prolonged cold spells. The subzero wind chills have elevated risks of frostbite and hypothermia, adding a public health dimension to the weather emergency.
Utility companies are working around the clock to restore power, but officials warn that repairs in icy conditions are slow and dangerous. The full economic and social impact of the storm, including damage to property and strain on emergency services, is still being assessed as the system continues to affect parts of the country.
