A big chunk of the US is getting a blast of wintry weather under what Accuweather has called the worst ice storm of the year. Some areas are experiencing frigid temperatures, while sleet, snow and ice are causing problems elsewhere as the system moves east across the country. Several deaths have been reported, most resulting from treacherous driving conditions. Hundreds of flights have been canceled and holiday celebrations curtailed. Even one outdoor ice rink in cold-accustomed South Dakota is shutting down.
Colorado: more snow and bitter cold
Coloradans braced for another round of snow this weekend as blistering cold temperatures continue across the state.
Forecasters say up to a foot more of snow is expected in the mountains. Temperatures ranged from 26 degrees fahrenheit below zero (minus 32C) in Walden to 13F above (minus 11C) in Cortez, with several communities on the Eastern Plains warming up to 10F (minus 12C).
In Grand Junction, the Parade of Lights has never been canceled due to weather and they are not planning on changing anything this year. But parade sponsors say some high school marching bands have backed out because of the danger of putting cold instruments to lips.
The Dakotas: calling off Christmas
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, South Dakota, 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.
Indiana: treacherous roads, even for plow trucks
Several inches of snow fell on central and southern Indiana, leading to at least two fatal crashes.
The roads proved even too hazardous for a Department of Transportation plow truck that flipped onto its side on Indiana 45 early Friday, the Greene County Sheriff's Department said.
Weather service meteorologist Chad Swain said up to five inches more of snow could fall later Friday in the southern half of the state.
Michigan: 27ft waves on Lake Superior
Cold temperatures and snow were expected in Michigan into next week. The lowest readings Friday morning were in the Upper Peninsula, including zero degrees in Ironwood and 1 degree (-17C) in Iron Mountain.
Forecasters said lake-effect snow was possible in the UP and parts of western Michigan. Snow and freezing rain could make travel difficult.
Gale warnings were in effect Friday for Lake Superior, with waves expected to be 18 feet to as high as 27 feet.
Missouri: from hot to cold in a day
Most of southern Missouri was under winter weather warnings, with up to eight inches of snow possible by Friday evening.
"Certainly power outages are going to be a real threat," said Scott Truett, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in St Louis. As for driving, snow on top of ice "is a very bad combination," Truett said.
Adding to Missouri's woes was the frigid cold. Highs were mostly expected to reach only into the 20s or low 30s ( just below 0C), a sharp decline from highs in the 60s (just below 20C) in many places just 24 hours earlier. St Louis reached 69 degrees (21C) on Wednesday; afternoon temperatures on Thursday were 40 degrees colder.
Montana: cold, and more cold
Temperatures plunged to minus 11 (minus 24C) in Helena, where a frozen pipe burst and flooded part of the Montana State Capitol building Thursday morning.
There was minor flooding in the cafeteria, media rooms and some bathrooms, although most of the building remained open for business and public meetings as workers dried the soaked areas.
The cold snap Thursday set or matched record low temperatures in parts of Montana, including minus 26 in Great Falls. Denton also set a record at minus 23 (minus 31C) Thursday morning and Havre's minus 27 (minus 33C) reading matched a record that has stood since 1936.
The cold snap is expected to last through the weekend.
Tennessee: stocking up on essentials
Forecasters issued winter storm warnings and watches and an ice storm warning for West Tennessee on Friday, anticipating precipitation that could ice up the ground for a day or more. Residents stocked up on groceries, bought electricity generators and gassed up their cars.
A state of emergency was declared in the western and middle parts of the state Thursday. Officials cautioned of hazardous road conditions and the possibility that downed trees and power lines could knock out electricity to homes and businesses.
Texas: flights cancelled
American Airlines and American Eagle have canceled nearly 1,000 flights because of a severe ice storm in the Dallas area.
The Texarkana Bowl between Harding University and Texas A&M Commerce was postponed because the area was under an ice storm warning. Bowl officials and representatives of both schools were working to reschedule the game, which was originally to be held Saturday.
Wisconsin: snow and record lows
With residents of northwestern Wisconsin digging out from as much as 17 inches of snow, forecasters warned that temperatures in the area could plunge as low as 25 degrees below zero (minus 32C).
Temperatures across north-central Wisconsin were forecast to fall into the single digits above and below zero on Thursday night (around minus 17C). They were expected to drop into the minus 20s (about minus 32C) over the next few days into the middle of next week.
Wyoming: frigid
Residents in Laramie and the Shirley Basin endured temperatures of 31 degrees below zero (minus 35C) Wednesday night, and high temperatures across the state were forecast to remain in the single digits through the weekend.
Other frigid readings across Wyoming overnight included minus 24 (minus 31C) in Rawlins, minus 22 (minus 30C) in Casper and Pinedale and minus 19 (minus 28C) in Cheyenne.
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