Winter Storms Across US Kill at Least 90

Facts

• Heavy snow and ice, bitter winds, and biting cold have been blamed for at least 90 deaths across the US in recent days.¹
• The weather-related deaths included at least 25 in Tennessee and 16 in Oregon, which remains under a state of emergency following deadly ice storms.²
• The fierce winter storms have not only resulted in freezing temperatures and fatalities but have also left thousands without power, closed schools, and significantly affected air traffic.³
• According to the US National Weather Service, temperatures could plunge at least 20 to 30 degrees [°F] below average from the High Plains east to the Ohio and Tennessee valleys by Monday evening.⁴
• While the icy conditions are expected to ease in the next few days, meteorologists forecast that warm air and rain could cause flooding and ice jams on some rivers and streams in the Midwest and Northeast.⁵
• These storms come almost a year since last February's 'generational' Arctic blast brought dangerously cold temperatures to northeastern parts of the country, with the wind-chill factor atop Mount Washington reaching a record -108°F (-77°C).⁶

Sources: ¹BBC News, ²CBS, ³Associated Press, ⁴Reuters, ⁵The Weather Channel and ⁶Al Jazeera.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by Washington Post. While many underestimate the risks of freezing temperatures, the cold snaps wreaking havoc across the US are an expected manifestation of climate change. Since the risk of severe winter storms from the North Atlantic to Central Europe could increase significantly in the coming years, the US and the world must act to mitigate extreme events.
• Narrative B, as provided by PBS NewsHour. It's easy to blame climate change for the US's current fierce weather. However, the planet's warming trend has nothing to do with the recent severe winter storms. While climate change can slow down the jet stream, its role in intensifying winter storms and cold air outbreaks has yet to be conclusively determined.

Predictions