Extreme Cold Affecting Many Areas Across US

 

Extremely cold weather is a problem in many parts of the United States.

The Associated Press reported Wednesday that record-setting temperatures have been blamed for at least 12 deaths in recent weeks.

Some forecasters say the worst weather is yet to come.

On Tuesday, the U.S. National Weather Service announced wind chill¹ advisories² and freeze warnings for 40 of the 50 states.

The weather service predicted a “period of much-below-normal temperatures and dangerously cold wind chills³ to the central and eastern U.S. over the next week.”

Air temperatures fell to -13 Celsius⁴ near Cullman, Alabama, which usually has a mild winter. In the port of Mobile, Alabama, temperatures reached as low as -7 Celsius.

City officials opened warming shelters across the southern United States, as the cold weather brought light snow as far south as Austin, Texas.

On Wednesday, a winter storm dropped snow, sleet⁵ and freezing rain from northern Florida up the Southeast coast. Some cities reported snowfall for the first time in over 20 years. Cars spun⁶ out of control on icy roads from Texas to Georgia.

Hospitals across the country are reporting an increase in emergency room visits for hypothermia and other conditions linked to extreme cold.

The record-setting cold weather began in the central U.S. early last week. Omaha, Nebraska, broke a 130-year record when temperatures fell to -29 Celsius. The city of Aberdeen, South Dakota broke a 99-year record with temperatures of -36 Celsius.

In Florida, several water parks closed because of the cold weather. New York’s Hudson River froze in some parts, forcing officials to cancel passenger ferry service.

At Niagara Falls, people took photographs of the Horseshoe Falls, where flowing water had turned to ice.

Frozen⁷ sharks were washing up along the coast south of Boston, Massachusetts, the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy reported.

Forecasters warned that weather conditions could worsen, especially in the Northeast.

A winter storm warning extended from the Florida panhandle all the way up the Atlantic coast. Coastal⁸ flooding, downed trees and power lines were possible along the East Coast.

I'm Susan Shand.

Words in this Story

forecasters – n. a person who predicts (something, such as weather) after looking at the information that is available

hypothermia – n. a condition in which the temperature of your body is very low

park – n. an area that is designed for a specified⁹ use such as swimming, walking or nature

ferry – n. a boat that moves people across a small body of water

chill – n. a feeling of being extremely cold

1 chill   

vt.使变冷，使冷却，使沮丧；n.寒冷，风寒

参考例句：

• With the chill factor,it's nearly minus forty here.加上风寒指数，气温接近零下40度。
• The bad news cast a chill over the whole family.这坏消息使全家人感到沮丧。

2 advisories   

n.（有关进展、动向、建议等的）报告( advisory的名词复数 )；公告；通告；通报

参考例句：

• Compliance with Practice Advisories is optional. 是否遵守实务公告由审计师自行选择决定。 来自互联网
• Hardened-PHP: not as such a PHP security information website, but it does have security advisories. 增强PHP:不仅仅是一个PHP安全新的网站，它还提供安全建议。 来自互联网

3 chills   

寒冷( chill的名词复数 )； 冷漠； 扫兴； [冶金学]激冷

参考例句：

• These evening damps and chills play Old Harry with one's bronchial tubes. 夜晚的湿气与寒冷对支气管有害。
• The bitter wind chills one to the bone. 寒风彻骨。

4 Celsius   

adj.摄氏温度计的，摄氏的

参考例句：

• The temperature tonight will fall to seven degrees Celsius.今晚气温将下降到七摄氏度。
• The maximum temperature in July may be 36 degrees Celsius.七月份最高温度可能达到36摄氏度。

5 sleet   

n.雨雪；v.下雨雪，下冰雹

参考例句：

• There was a great deal of sleet last night.昨夜雨夹雪下得真大。
• When winter comes,we get sleet and frost.冬天来到时我们这儿会有雨夹雪和霜冻。

6 spun   

v.纺，杜撰，急转身

参考例句：

• His grandmother spun him a yarn at the fire.他奶奶在火炉边给他讲故事。
• Her skilful fingers spun the wool out to a fine thread.她那灵巧的手指把羊毛纺成了细毛线。

7 frozen   

adj.冻结的，冰冻的

参考例句：

• He was frozen to death on a snowing night.在一个风雪的晚上，他被冻死了。
• The weather is cold and the ground is frozen.天寒地冻。

8 coastal   

adj.海岸的，沿海的，沿岸的

参考例句：

• The ocean waves are slowly eating away the coastal rocks.大海的波浪慢慢地侵蚀着岸边的岩石。
• This country will fortify the coastal areas.该国将加强沿海地区的防御。

9 specified   

adj.特定的

参考例句：

• The architect specified oak for the wood trim. 那位建筑师指定用橡木做木饰条。
• It is generated by some specified means. 这是由某些未加说明的方法产生的。