The winter storm sweeping the United States raged through the Midwest and North Dakota on the 18th, breaking local low-temperature records for over a century. On the 19th, it continued moving towards the East Coast, potentially bringing multiple states into a snowy and icy state.
The Associated Press reported that a storm causing heavy snowfall in the Midwest on the 19th swept through Tennessee and the Ohio River Valley. Some areas had just experienced deadly floods over the weekend, and as they begin cleanup efforts, they now face more hardships.
The U.S. National Weather Service stated that snowfall along the Atlantic coast of Virginia might reach up to 25 centimeters, and eastern North Carolina is also forecasted to have significant ice accumulation.
A polar vortex has affected the U.S. from northern Montana to southern Texas. North Dakota's capital, Bismarck, recorded a low temperature of minus 39.4 degrees Celsius on the morning of the 18th, breaking the record set in 1910.
Meteorologist Edison stated that record low temperatures are likely to appear on the mornings of the 20th and 21st.
North Carolina Governor Stein anticipated ice and snow attacks on the 19th, and had already declared a state of emergency across the state on the 18th. He posted on the social media platform X, saying: "Our biggest concern is the road conditions and power outages caused by ice accumulation, so it is necessary for everyone to be prepared."
The next target of this winter storm is the eastern United States, which had just experienced floods over the weekend that caused at least 17 deaths. Beginning on the 19th, heavy snow is expected on the East Coast, with snow accumulation possibly reaching 15 centimeters or more.