U.S. Winter Storm Claims Dozens of Lives as Bitter Cold Grips Nation

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Washington: A large winter storm system identified by meteorologists as Winter Storm Fern  has now claimed the lives of at least 30 people across the United States and continues to hamper recovery efforts as dangerous sub-freezing temperatures and heavy snow persist, officials and weather services reported.

The storm has stretched across dozens of states, delivering snow, ice and severe cold from the Southern Plains through the Midwest to the Northeast, affecting nearly 200 million people under cold alerts issued by the National Weather Service.

Officials attribute the fatalities to a range of harsh storm impacts, including cold exposure, sledding and snow removal accidents, and vehicle collisions on icy roads, with incidents reported from states such as Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and New York.

The weather event has triggered widespread power disruptions, with the number of outages peaking at over 847,000 customers nationwide as of late Sunday. Electric utilities, especially in the South and Midwest, reported significant challenges restoring service due to ice-loaded lines and fallen trees.

Travel has also suffered major setbacks, as thousands of flights were canceled or delayed across the country, compounding disruptions that began over the weekend. Thousands of residential flights and commercial departures were impacted, stranding passengers and complicating airline operations.

Meteorologists warn that harsh conditions are not yet over. In many areas, subzero wind chills, treacherous ice on roadways and continued snowfall make travel and recovery efforts risky. The storm’s cold air mass shows little sign of immediate retreat, and communities are bracing for continued impacts over the coming days.

Regional and local officials have urged residents to stay indoors, maintain emergency supplies and check on vulnerable neighbours as utility crews work to restore power and clear roadways. Emergency declarations remain in effect across many states to help coordinate ongoing response efforts.

The enormity of the storm sprawling over more than 2,000 miles of the continental United States and its deadly toll highlight the persistent risks posed by extreme winter weather in a shifting climate context, according to weather analysts tracking long-range signals.