In Pictures: Winter storm in United States affecting 60 million people

A major winter storm has swept across the United States, impacting over 60 million people, with a polar vortex bringing snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. This has led to widespread chaos, including school closures, power outages, and travel disruptions. Seven states have declared emergencies, and the storm has caused several fatalities, primarily due to icy roads. The National Weather Service predicts continued snow and freezing conditions through early Tuesday, with some areas experiencing up to a foot of snow. Photo credit: Brandon Drenon/X

The deadly snowstorm has claimed at least six lives across various states, including Texas, Missouri, Kansas, Virginia, and North Carolina. Fatalities were primarily caused by traffic accidents on icy roads, including a fatal crash in Kansas and Virginia. In Missouri, over 350 vehicle crashes were reported, resulting in dozens of injuries and several deaths. Additionally, a person was found dead from cold exposure in Houston. The hazardous driving conditions continue to pose significant risks. Photo credit: @ErikaCampbell79/X

The intense storm has left hundreds of thousands of people without power, with nearly 250,000 homes and businesses affected in Missouri, Kansas, and other storm-hit areas. The combination of heavy snow, high winds, and ice has downed power lines and damaged infrastructure. The outages have left people without heating in freezing temperatures, worsening the situation. Power restoration efforts are ongoing, but officials warn that conditions may remain challenging for days as the storm moves eastward. Photo credit: @ErikaCampbell79/X

More than 2,200 flights have been cancelled, and thousands more have been delayed due to the snowstorm. Airports in Kansas City, Missouri, and Washington D.C. reported dangerous conditions on their runways, leading to widespread flight cancellations. Affected airports include Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Kansas City International Airport. Travel chaos has also affected roads, with significant closures in several states and numerous vehicle accidents due to slippery conditions. Photo credit: Smithsonian National Zoo

As the snowstorm continued to batter large parts of the United States, schools were forced to close or delay classes in multiple states. Cities in Virginia, Maryland, Missouri, and Kansas were particularly affected, with school districts opting to cancel or postpone classes for safety reasons. The closure of schools led to students enjoying a snow day while parents and local authorities worked to manage the storm's impacts on daily life. Photo credit: X/Reagan Airport

The storm brought heavy snow across the Midwest and mid-Atlantic, with Kansas experiencing the worst snowfall, accumulating up to 18 inches. Washington D.C. saw 5-9 inches of snow, causing major disruptions. The storm's heavy snowfall coated many roads with ice, creating treacherous driving conditions. Authorities urged residents to stay home as roads turned slippery, and the storm's impacts included significant delays in public transportation, especially in areas with less snow removal infrastructure Photo credit: Devin Hartnett/ Facebook

The storm’s severity was driven by the movement of a polar vortex, which typically circulates around the North Pole. However, this vortex dipped southward, pushing freezing Arctic air into the U.S. This phenomenon is becoming more frequent due to climate change, which is weakening the polar vortex and allowing cold air to reach lower latitudes. While the storm is expected to ease by mid-week, below-freezing temperatures are expected to persist across much of the country, keeping conditions hazardous. Photo credit: @justinkieferwx/X

As the storm continues, state and federal agencies are working to manage the response efforts, including the distribution of emergency supplies and setting up temporary shelters for those without power. Authorities are urging residents to take precautions by staying indoors, avoiding unnecessary travel, and using alternative heating sources. In cities like Richmond, Virginia, a boil water advisory has been issued after the storm caused disruptions to local water systems, affecting public health and safety. Photo credit: @justinkieferwx/X