Frosty Frenzy: Snow and Cold Sweep Across America

Cold weather is taking over many parts of the United States. Schools and roads are shut down due to heavy snow and freezing conditions. More than 99 million people are affected by weather alerts. The Northeast, Great Plains, and Midwest are affected the most. The capital city, Washington D. C. , and New York City are calling on the public to help those without homes. This is because temperatures are expected to drop to dangerous levels. The snowfall was so heavy, that the Senate postponed a vote on a key intelligence post due to the weather. The storm is spreading across the country, affecting many regions. Snow is falling in Virginia and is expected to cause flooding in the South and Southeast. Freezing rain is expected in the Appalachians. In the northern Rockies to the upper Great Lakes, the temperature is expected to be 25-35 degrees below average. The temperature in North Dakota could reach as low as -55 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a life-threatening condition. Philadelphia is expected to get 2-4 inches of snow. It was a big deal, but it is expected to get more snow. Another storm is forecast to hit many of the same areas Wednesday into Thursday. In Utah, avalanches have been a big problem this year. A skier triggered an avalanche 200 feet wide Monday on Mount Superior. No one was reported missing or injured. The West Coast is not spared from the cold snap. A storm system is set to arrive in California late Wednesday, producing rain and snow in higher areas. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass warned residents at a news conference that the area is at an increased risk of debris flows from last month's wildfires. The city is making preparations for the rain. More than 7, 500 feet of concrete barricades and another 6, 500 sandbags have been deployed throughout Pacific Palisades. Residents are welcome to go to Los Angeles fire stations to collect sandbags for themselves in anticipation of potential floods. The storm drain system has been cleared, and authorities are working to prevent polluted water from running off into the ocean.