by Mick the Ram

The winter storm given the name Storm Blair, has made its way across the US triggering a state of emergency in seven states in its way, together with more than 20 others and over 63 million American citizens being placed under serious weather alerts.

Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Arkansas and parts of New Jersey are severely affected, as well as Washington DC, somewhere not usually affected by large amounts of snow, but currently struggling to cope with accumulations of up to 16 inches in some isolated spots, just as it prepares to host the certification of the presidential election results.

The freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall have created hazardous conditions and brought about excessive travel disruptions, with mass flight cancellations and school closures across a swathe of the country that have found themselves in the storm’s path.

Weather experts – who predict the coldest temperatures since 2011 – have concluded that the storm has been brought about by a Polar Vortex, which occurs when very cold air that is normally locked up around the Poles is disrupted and heads south.

Election certification not impacted

Parts of Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and Washington DC are taking the brunt of the weather today (Monday 6 January).

The US Congress in the country’s capital city is set to meet here and formally certify Republican Donald Trump’s election as president and despite the bitterly cold temperatures and travel disruptions, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said the weather would not “prevent lawmakers from carrying out their duties”.

Mid-west states badly affected

The storm has already caused chaos with terrible blizzard conditions in the states of Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.

Kansas City saw its heaviest snow in 32 years, with more than a foot (30 to 40cm) falling – the fourth largest on record for a single day in the city.

Neighbouring state Missouri experienced 14 inches (36cm) of sleet and snow, as the historical average temperatures continued to fall from anywhere between 12-25F.

Masses of flight cancellations

More than 1,700 flights into and out of the US have been cancelled, with over 9,000 more delayed leading to American, Delta, Southwest and United airlines waiving change fees for passengers as a show of good will.

The most affected airports include Kansas City International, St Louis Lambert International and Chicago O’Hare International, but others especially Washington’s Dulles International are likely join the list. Amtrak has also cancelled numerous train services.

Canada hit hard too

Further north, Canadians are also suffering, although their citizens are far more used to such extremes, but even so they too have weather alerts in place.

In the central province of Manitoba, the wind chill could see temperatures plummet to as low as -40C.

Polar Vortex explained

The arctic blast is being referred to as a Polar Vortex, which are winds that typically originate in the area around Siberia and normally keep Arctic air locked up around the Poles, but these have weakened and resulted in very cold air being allowed to move southward across the US.

When that cold air met the milder air in the south, it increased moisture and a weather system developed into Storm Blair carrying with it snow, blizzards and freezing rain.