Winter storm fern puts 230 million Americans under weather alerts

A massive and potentially catastrophic winter storm, Fern, swayed across the United States. Forecasters warn that the storm’s rare combination of crippling ice, heavy snow, and record-breaking arctic air could paralyse the eastern two-thirds of the country through Monday.With more than 230 million people under weather alerts, governors in at least seven states, including Texas, Georgia, and Virginia, have declared states of emergency.Meteorologists describe Fern as a “monster” system due to its three-pronged assault on infrastructure.AP reports the massive storm system forecast predicts up to 1 inch of ice in some regions, with freezing rain expected to stretch from Texas through the Deep South and into the Mid-Atlantic. This has raised the fears of “hurricane-level” damage to power lines and trees.To the north, a heavy band of snow is burying states from Oklahoma to New England. Major hubs, including Washington DC, New York, and Boston, are bracing for 8 to 16 inches, likely bringing regional travel to a total standstill.Following the precipitation, a lobe of the polar vortex is set to deliver a life-threatening “final punch.” In North Dakota and Minnesota, wind chills are predicted to plummet cold enough to cause frostbite on exposed skin in less than 10 minutes.In Texas, where memories of the deadly 2021 grid failure remain fresh, Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 134 counties. While Abbott assured residents the power system has “never been stronger,” utility companies like CenterPoint Energy have staged thousands of workers to respond to the localised outages expected from heavy ice.In the Southeast, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger warned residents to prepare for multiple days without power. Spanberger emphasised that emergency services remain available to all, regardless of immigration status, amid ongoing federal crackdowns.The storm has already triggered a cascade of disruptions.More than 650 flights have been cancelled through Saturday, with major hubs in Dallas, Atlanta, and Oklahoma City seeing the most significant impacts.Districts, including Chicago and Des Moines Public Schools, cancelled Friday classes, citing the “deadly” wind chills as too dangerous for students waiting for buses.Grocery store shelves from Dallas to Louisville were reported bare of essentials like eggs, water, and bread as residents rushed to “hunker down.”The storm is expected to reach its peak intensity on Sunday as it moves into the Northeast. Officials are pleading with the public to stay off the roads, warning that even as the snow stops, the extreme cold will prevent thawing, leaving roads treacherous well into next week.“I beg you, please take this seriously,” said Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry. “This is not just a weekend flurry; this is a major infrastructure event.”