Winter Storm Warnings Blanket 15 States Amid Arctic Blast With Calls for -35°F Wind Chills, 60 MPH Winds, and 10 Inches of Snow
Since Super Bowl weekend has arrived, many people want to focus on things like how to watch the big game and the ads. Sadly, a large portion of the U.S. is dealing with harsh weather instead. That is the case because 15 states are facing winter conditions, including extreme cold, winds that will make it hard to breathe, and snow accumulation.
The 'Coldest Air of the Season' as -35°F Chills and 60 MPH Wind Gusts Forecasted
An ABC News article is calling for the "coldest air of the season" to arrive this weekend for parts of northeastern New York, including Lake Placid and Saranac Lake. Wind chills there could drop to -35°F, and the outlet warns that cold conditions like that can cause frostbite to exposed skin in 10 minutes.
Additionally, a Fox Weather article highlights another concern: Upstate New York, western Pennsylvania, and interior New England could face wind gusts reaching 60 mph through Saturday. The outlet predicts that the area facing those conditions is massive, with over 42 million people under wind alerts.
With extreme cold and powerful winds coming, knowing how to ward off and treat hypothermia when exposed is key. To avoid the ailment, a Men's Journal article advises dressing in layers, staying dry, and checking forecasts before going out. It also explains how to detect early signs, including shivering, confusion, drowsiness, slurred speech, and exhaustion. Warning signs for kids also include bright red skin that is cold and exhibiting low energy. If symptoms develop, head indoors right away, strip wet clothes, bundle in dry blankets or a sleeping bag, and warm up gradually. For severe cases like loss of consciousness, seek medical help immediately, check pulse and breathing, and start CPR if needed.
Up to 10 Inches of Snow Predicted
A Newsweek report reveals that a broad area of the country could see a significant amount of snow over the weekend. According to the outlet, up to 10 inches of snow could accumulate in the Appalachian mountain areas of West Virginia and Virginia while being paired with 60 mph winds. The combo could create whiteout conditions, making travel very dangerous through Saturday.
15 States Are Facing Winter Storm Conditions This Weekend
The above-described reports from ABC News, Fox Weather, and Newsweek describe winter storm conditions hitting nine states to start: New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, plus interior New England (Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island). Additionally, an AM WDBO article based on ABC News reporting adds impacts in another six states: Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, New Jersey, Indiana, and North Carolina. That brings the tally of states facing some combination of snow, winds, and extreme cold this weekend to 15.