Severe weather warning issued to 115 million Americans as flights are canceled

A man clears snow from a sidewalk on January 17, 2024 in North Conway, New Hampshire

A winter storm gripped the US Friday night, causing disturbances in states ranging from the Northeast to the Midwest.

Weather advisories were issued on Friday as the cold front swept across the nation. The snow has caused many travel disturbances and school closures. In states like Washington DC and Philadelphia, four to six inches of snow made commutes near impossible, according to the National Weather Service. Record low temperatures were reported in Dillon, Montana, and Monticello, Kentucky.

The unfavorable weather conditions will persist into this week, as ‘lake-effect’ snow is expected to blow downwind from the Great Lakes, with many areas in the Northeast of the country receiving more snow towards the end of the weekend. Additionally, excessive rainfall is expected in some parts of Northern California.

Schools were closed on Friday throughout the Tri-State area, including New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, citing icy roads which have contributed to the elevated number of weather-related deaths in the US over the past two weeks. An updated count from CBS News reported that at least 89 people have lost their lives in weather-related circumstances.

More than 950 flights were canceled across the country, particularly at airports in New York, D.C., and Chicago, according to Flight Aware.

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