US Braces For Massive Weekend Winter Storm

Much of the US could be hit by a massive winter storm this weekend. That's according to weather reports. Forecasts Thursday suggested that at least 230 million people from New Mexico to New England will face sub-20-degree Fahrenheit temps. And 150 million could wake up by Monday morning to an icy, frigid snowscape. 

Meteorologists point to a change in the polar vortex as the cause of the storm. The swirling effect usually traps the world’s coldest air around the North Pole. But a wave in the upper atmosphere has pushed the vortex south. That will send a blast of Arctic air as far as the US South. Meanwhile, two jets of densely humid air will meet in the Midwest and slowly roll east. One is from the California coast. The other is from the Caribbean. That combo could lead to record ice and snowfall totals.   

“I think people are underestimating just how bad it’s going to be,” Ryan Maue told The Associated Press. He's a meteorologist.

North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Texas declared states of emergency Thursday. Wind chill temps could reach as low as -40 degrees in some parts. As much as a foot of snow or more could fall in cities like Washington, DC, and Raleigh, NC.   

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein asked his state's residents to stay off the roads this weekend in a press release. He urged people to stay home "so first responders can do their jobs safely." And in a social media post, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp told the people of his state to take steps to prepare for losing power. 

Reflect: When severe weather is expected, how do you decide what steps to take to stay safe?