By SOPHIE BATES, SUDHIN THANAWALA and RUSS BYNUM Associated Press
Tens of thousands of people are entering their sixth day with no electricity as the Carolinas and Virginia prepare for a significant winter storm that could bring more snowfall than some parts of North Carolina have seen in years. The National Weather Service says arctic air moving into the Southeast will cause already frigid temperatures to plummet into the teens Friday night in cities like Nashville, Tennessee. With another wave of dangerous cold heading for the U.S. South, experts say the risk of hypothermia heightens for people in parts of Mississippi and Tennessee trapped at home without power in subfreezing temperatures.
A surge of arctic air is bringing strong winds, heavy snow and frigid temperatures to the Great Lakes and Northeast, a day after a bomb cyclone that hit the northern U.S. Tens of thousands of customers were without power early Tuesday, with Michigan hardest hit. The National Weather Service predicts snow squalls and gusty winds for the Eastern U.S. New York's governor warned of whiteout conditions in parts of the state. In Michigan, snow piled up quickly on Monday, and high waves on Lake Superior sent cargo ships into harbors for shelter.
By LEAH WILLINGHAM and JEFF MARTIN Associated Press
A strengthening bomb cyclone is barreling across the northern United States, unleashing severe winter weather in the Midwest and aiming at the East Coast. The storm brought blizzard conditions, treacherous travel and widespread power outages Monday across the Plains and Great Lakes. Forecasters say the storm intensified rapidly, meeting the criteria of what's known as a bomb cyclone. The sharp cold front left parts of the central U.S. waking up to temperatures 50 degrees colder than the day before. The National Weather Service had warned of whiteout conditions beginning Sunday that could make travel impossible in some areas.
Powerful winter storms brought the wettest Christmas season to Southern California this week. Relentless winds and rain also triggered widespread debris flows and left homes halfway filled with mud. Rains were expected to ease Friday afternoon but there's still a risk of flash flooding near Los Angeles. Officials say firefighters rescued over 100 people Thursday night in Los Angeles county. Homes and cars in a mountain town were covered in rocks, debris and thick mud, and roads were washed out. The storms were the result of atmospheric rivers and were blamed for several deaths this week.
California officials are urging holiday travelers to avoid the roads on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. A series of powerful winter storms is expected to douse California with relentless rain, heavy winds, and snow this week. Much of the state will see heavy rains and gusts that could lead to flooding, mudslides and rock slides. The Sacramento Valley and San Francisco Bay Area are under flood and high wind warnings through Friday. The Sierra Nevada will see heavy snow and strong winds, making travel nearly impossible. Southern California could see its wettest Christmas in years and warned about mudslides and debris flows. Some 380 particularly vulnerable households were ordered to leave.
