Temperatures in Port Alsworth, Alaska, reached a high of 62 degrees Fahrenheit on Monday, setting a new record for the highest temperature ever recorded in the state during January.
Another record! Port Alsworth, AK reached 62°. This ties the highest temp ever recorded in AK during January.
—NWS Alaska Region (@NWSAlaska),
Meanwhile, an has ravaged the southern United States, stranding commuters, closing schools, and blowing semi trucks right off the road. States of emergency were declared in Alabama, North Carolina, Louisiana, and South Carolina as early as Monday in preparation for the winter conditions, but few were prepared for the near-total paralysis of major urban areas.
The weather has forced more than and another 2,000 to be delayed.
Atlanta in particular has turned into a traffic nightmare, with some commuters stuck on the road as long as 19 hours. Weary travelers even took to spending the night in grocery stores and pharmacies.
Made it to CVS on W Paces Ferry. People sleeping in every aisle, using maxi pads as pillows.
—Jaime Sarrio (@JaimeSarrio),
Stranded motorists sleeping, warming up inside the Home Depot off Cascade Rd off 285
—Duffie Dixon 11Alive (@DuffieDixon),
There have also been spending the night in libraries and gymnasiums, unable to return home.
In Texas, more than 300 traffic accidents have been reported since the storm began. In the city of Austin, police chief Art Acevedo says they are dealing with about .
Although this may seem like an inordinate amount of chaos for just a few inches of snow, most people in the region are , and many cities lack the infrastructure to deal with even infrequent winter storms.