A big chunk of the U.S. is getting a blast of wintry weather. Some areas are experiencing frigid temperatures. Some are seeing snow and ice. The conditions are making travel difficult and prompting the cancellation of flights, holiday festivities and football games. Even one outdoor ice rink in cold-accustomed South Dakota is shutting down.
ARIZONA
A storm rolling in over the weekend will keep northern Arizona in the grips of freezing temperatures, bringing more snow and making travel a little tricky.
Phoenix residents could see a dusting of snow in the surrounding mountains. Several inches of snow could fall in the higher terrain.
The cold weather is normal for this time of year, but the duration of chilly temperatures that will dip below zero in some parts of northern Arizona is what makes the recent and upcoming days 'on the cold end of normal,' said David Blanchard, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Flagstaff.
Tucson street crews were busy Thursday preparing for the weather by coating about 70 bridge decks with magnesium chloride to keep ice from sticking to roadways.
ARKANSAS
Wintry weather prompted schools, businesses and government agencies to shutter their doors Friday as icy weather pelted the state ahead of a cold snap expected to last for days.
Gov. Mike Beebe declared a statewide emergency, making it easier for crews to repair expected damage to trees and power lines. He also said only essential state personnel needed to report for duty in Little Rock, the state capital.
An ice storm warning issued by the National Weather Service in North Little Rock was to last until 6 p.m. Friday.
Cold air following the storm was forecast to drop temperatures below zero in parts of northern Arkansas as bitter cold stretches across the state into next week.
COLORADO
In northwestern Colorado, temperatures dropped to near 30 degrees below zero.
National Weather Service meteorologist Matthew Aleksa said the temperature in Meeker hit 29 below zero just before sunrise Thursday, and Craig was at minus 27 degrees.
'Those are the actual temperatures, not wind chill temperatures. It's going to stay cold,' Aleksa said.
Some mountain areas reported up to a foot of snow. The Colorado Department of Transportation said U.S. Highway 550 was closed between Silverton and Ouray in western Colorado to prevent avalanches on Red Mountain Pass.
In Denver, homeless people lined up in 9-below-zero temperatures before dawn, waiting for the St. Francis Center day shelter to open so they could get off the streets.
The National Weather Service said Denver's airport tied a record low Thursday of minus 15 set in 1972, but the airport was also closer to Denver 41 years ago.
DAKOTAS
Some organizations in the Dakotas canceled holiday events, and one city decided it was even too cold for ice skating.
A 'Christmas at the Zoo' fundraising event in the North Dakota city of Minot and 'Parade of Lights' events in the South Dakota cities of Yankton and Sturgis were among those called off. Many schools announced late starts, and officials in Rapid City, S.D., shut down an outdoor ice rink.
The National Weather Service posted advisories for the two states saying wind chills could make the temperature feel as low as 40 degrees below zero into the weekend.
ILLINOIS
Icy, cold weather has caused numerous traffic accidents in southern Illinois, and dozens of schools and day care centers say they will be closed Friday.
The man linked to a drug cartel faces sentencing Friday after pleading guilty to attempted murder in what authorities say was a plot to murder a couple in Southern California, in a case that highlights the reach of Mexican traffickers.
As news of Nelson Mandela's death spread, current and former heads of state and government, athletes and entertainers, and people around the world spoke out about the life and legacy of the former South African president. Some knew him personally while many only knew him from afar, but they shared how they drew inspiration from his strength and looked to live his message of continuing the struggle against social injustice.
Friday marks the first anniversary of the day Washington's legal marijuana law took effect, and hundreds of people are expected to celebrate by lighting up beneath the Space Needle at a party permitted by the city of Seattle.
Posted by Unknown on Friday, December 6, 2013 - Rating: 4.5
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