The one-two punch delivered by Winter Storms Sparta and Thor has devastated cities and dropped temperatures into record-breaking ranges.
Wednesday's surge may be the worse yet.
Over 2,000 flights have been canceled across the country; 600-plus in Dallas Ft. Worth alone. Flights delayed by Winter Storm Thor already surpassed 5,500, according to Flight Aware. Many locations across the South and east coast are under winter storm warnings, advisories, or watches as plummeting temperatures give way to freezing rain.
Both the Texas Department of Transportation and the North Texas Tollway Authority have road crews treating bridges and overpasses in anticipation of sleet and snow Wednesday night. Meanwhile, cities like Louisville and Cincinnati are preparing just as efficiently. "If predictions hold, we are looking at, perhaps, the most significant winter weather of the season, Cincinnati City Manager Harry Black said in speaking with USA Today. "Our crews will be out there working hard to get roads clear." Record-breaking cold will continue in the South through Friday. Some locations may even endure their coldest temperatures so late into the season. Seven deaths related to Thor been reported so far; three in Wyoming and one each in Nebraska, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan. Slick road conditions in Wyoming, directly attributed to the winter storm, caused a two-sedan collision that left three dead Monday night. Although the worst of Thor's blast will hit the Northeast Wednesday night, even about 1-2 inches of snow will be enough to set record in some places. Boston is about two inches shy of breaking the 107.6-inch record set during the 1995-96 season. Philadelphia expects around six inches and New York could get around four inches of snow.
A winter storm watch is in effect until 7 p.m. Thursday for Manhattan, the Bronx, Westchester County, south Connecticut and East Union County New Jersey.