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Frigid Arctic Air, Winter Storms Grip Much of US

AFP

   HOUSTON - Much of the United States was in the icy grip of an
   "unprecedented" winter storm on Monday as frigid Arctic air sent
   temperatures plunging, forcing hundreds of flight cancellations, making
   driving hazardous and leaving millions without power in Texas.

   Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for the
   southern state, and the National Weather Service (NWS) said more than
   150 million Americans were under winter weather advisories.

   "I urge all Texans to remain vigilant against the extremely harsh
   weather," Abbott said in a statement.

   The NWS described conditions as an "unprecedented and expansive area of
   hazardous winter weather" from coast-to-coast.

   More than 2.7 million people were without power in Texas, according to
   PowerOutage.us, and temperatures in the major metropolis of Houston
   dipped to 16 degrees Fahrenheit (minus nine Celsius).

   President Joe Biden issued an emergency declaration for Texas on Sunday
   providing federal assistance to supplement state relief efforts.

   Texas is not used to such brutal winter weather and the storm caused
   havoc in parts of the state, including a 100-car pileup on Interstate
   35 near Fort Worth last week that left at least six people dead.

   Austin-Bergstrom International Airport said that all flights had been
   canceled on Monday due to the "historic weather" and Houston's George
   Bush Intercontinental Airport also shut down.

   The NWS said Arctic air was driving a "polar plunge" that is expected
   to bring record-low temperatures.

   Much of the United States has been shivering under chilly temperatures
   for days, with about half of all Americans now under some sort of
   winter weather warning.

   Temperatures have dropped across the country, with only parts of the
   southeast and southwest dodging it.

   The cold snap has led to heavy snowfalls and ice storms that have
   caused a spike in electricity demand and power outages.

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