Winter Storm Maximus Snarls NYC Commute, Delays Flights

Winter storm Maximus is expected to dump 4 to 8 inches of snow in the New York area Monday. By 1 p.m., 6 inches of snow had fallen in Central Park.More than 1,000 flights were canceled or delayed in and out of New York airports Monday, according to Flight aware, tying up Super Bowl fans attempting to leave the area. Airport officials told 1010 WINS radio that they were readying cots and pillows for travelers stranded Monday night.

http://www.weather.com/news/commuter-conditions/winter-snow-maximus-snarls-nyc-commute-delays-flights-20140203

Winter Storm Leon Brings Atlanta to a Standstill.

Winter Storm Leon turned Atlanta on its head on Tuesday. The 2.3 inches of snow caused hours of traffic, forcing many commuters to abandon their cars on highways for shelter.Given that average lows in Atlanta in January hover in the 30s, it’s safe to say the city is not used to snow storms. Inexperience with driving in snowy conditions, as well as a lack of necessary equipment such as snow plows and salt trucks and a shortage of crews to drive them all added to the chaos. According to CNN, Atlanta only has about 30 salt trucks and 40 plows.

http://www.weather.com/news/commuter-conditions/winter-storm-leon-causes-major-traffic-jam-20140130

Winter Storm Pax Slams South

http://www.weather.com/news/photos-winter-storm-pax-slams-south-20140211

Winter Storm Pax will bring a long swath of ice and snow across the South through midweek, and the ice may accumulate enough in some areas to knock out power for thousands of people and litter roads with fallen tree limbs and downed wires. Travel will become difficult, if not impossible, in the hardest-hit areas.

Arctic Blast Drops Temperatures Across the North and Northeast; Will Bring Winter Storm to the Deep South Tuesday and Wednesday

http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/hpcdiscussions.php?disc=pmdspd

Temperatures will continue to plunge behind the Arctic boundary that swept through the eastern third of the Nation on Monday. The combination of falling temperatures and gusty winds will make for bitter conditions...and the strong winds blowing over relatively warmer lake waters should allow bands of snow showers to continue to set up downwind of the Great Lakes the next few days. The big story...however...will be farther south as the Arctic front slows down while pushing off the Gulf and Southeast coasts. Moisture working its way north of the boundary should help fuel an expanding area of precipitation across the Deep South and Southeast on Tuesday. Given the fresh supply of Arctic air invading the region...a mix of snow...sleet...and freezing rain is expected within the northern fringe of the precipitation shield...and even portions of the Gulf Coast should see a winter mix by Tuesday evening.

Western U.S. Drought Prompts Disaster Declarations In 11 States

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/17/western-us-drought-disaster_n_4616929.html?utm_hp_ref=extreme-weather

Federal officials have designated portions of 11 drought-ridden western and central states as primary natural disaster areas, highlighting the financial strain the lack of rain is likely to bring to farmers in those regions. The announcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Wednesday included counties in Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Kansas, Texas, Utah, Arkansas, Hawaii, Idaho, Oklahoma and California. The designation means eligible farmers can qualify for low-interest emergency loans from the department. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said he and President Obama want to ensure that agriculture remains a bright spot in the nation's economy. "USDA stands with you and your communities when severe weather and natural disasters threaten to disrupt your livelihood." he said in statement.