Winter storm Elliott: Power outages hit 1.1m and flights cancelled in path of deadly subzero weather

Nearly 1.2 million customers are experiencing power cuts across the country by Friday morning due to Winter Storm Elliott.

What’s the difference between warnings, watches and advisories? Some advice below.

Hard Freeze Warning: Take Action! NWS issues a hard freeze warning when temperatures are expected to drop below 28°F for an extended period of time, killing most types of commercial crops and residential plants.

Freeze Warning: Take Action! When temperatures are forecasted to go below 32°F for a long period of time, NWS issues a freeze warning. This temperature threshold kills some types of commercial crops and residential plants.

Freeze Watch: Be Prepared NWS issues a freeze watch when there is a potential for significant, widespread freezing temperatures within the next 24-36 hours. A freeze watch is issued in the autumn until the end of the growing season and in the spring at the start of the growing season.

Frost Advisory: Be Aware. A frost advisory means areas of frost are expected or occurring, posing a threat to sensitive vegetation.

President Joe Biden was briefed on Winter Storm Elliott on Thursday and urged Americans to heed the warnings from forecasters.

“This is not like a snow day when you were a kid. This is serious stuff,” he said.

On Friday, the President and the First Lady will make a holiday visit to patients and families at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC.

A makeshift science experiment was caught on camera during extreme cold weather in Missoula, Montana.

A wind chill advisory remains in place until 11am (local time) on Friday and a weather advisory until 5am on Saturday. Wind chills as low as 30 below zero are forecast along with snow accumulations of one to four inches. The most snow is expected on Friday afternoon.

Forecasters warned drivers to take extreme caution due to slippery roads. The cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.

Total flight delays on Friday reached 10,850 with 5,840 cancellations. Airports in New York, Chicago, Atlanta and Denver were among the worst affected.

What’s the difference between a wind chill warning and a wind chill watch?

A Wind Chill Warning – means take action, according to the US government site, weather.gov. The National Weather Service (NWS) issues a wind chill warning when dangerously cold wind chill values are expected or occurring. If you are in an area with a wind chill warning, avoid going outside during the coldest parts of the day. If you do go outside, dress in layers, cover exposed skin, and make sure at least one other person knows your whereabouts. Update them when you arrive safely at your destination.

A Wind Chill Watch means be prepared. NWS issues a wind chill watch when dangerously cold wind chill values are possible. As with a warning, adjust your plans to avoid being outside during the coldest parts of the day. Make sure your car has at least a half a tank of gas, and update your winter survival kit.

A Wind Chill Advisory means be aware. NWS issues a wind chill advisory when seasonably cold wind chill values but not extremely cold values are expected or occurring. Be sure you and your loved ones dress appropriately and cover exposed skin when venturing outdoors.

Forecasters warned people venturing out over the holidays to travel with extreme caution after at least five deaths were already reported on the roads in Oklahoma and Kansas.

“The ongoing major winter storm will continue to produce areas of heavy snow, strong winds, and life-threatening wind chills through Saturday. If traveling for the holiday, please use extreme caution and pay attention to the latest forecasts and updates,” the National Weather Service warned.

The number of power cuts believed to be linked to hazardous winter storm conditions jumped on Friday morning.

Nearly 98,000 people were without power in Connecticut and more than 95,000 in Georgia. In Texas, nearly 80,000 were without power as public officials rushed to reassure customers than their standalone power grid would hold up. The collapse of the Texas power grid during Winter Storm Uri in February 2021 led to 200 deaths.

Power outages were also reported in South Caroline – 71,654 – and North Carolina, 57,178 by utility tracker poweroutage.us