Ice Storm in the Northwestern Pacific

On Wednesday, January 17, as severe cold gripped various parts of the United States, residents of the Northwestern Pacific faced an ice storm. Parts of Southwestern Washington and Western Oregon, including major cities like Portland, Salem, and Eugene, were expecting snowfall between 6 to 25 millimeters. Seattle was also forecasted to experience freezing rain. While officials warned about poor road conditions and the possibility of power outages, schools were closed, and warming shelters opened their doors to the public. Efforts to resolve power outages in many areas of the United States are still ongoing, with reports indicating that over 86,000 households experienced power cuts early Wednesday. Major cities like Chicago, Detroit, and New York were also experiencing temperatures between -10 to -15 degrees Celsius, along with accidents and damages resulting from the weather. The Tennessee Valley Authority, which supplies electricity to seven states, urged residents to conserve energy due to high electricity consumption caused by the cold. A similar request was made by the Texas electricity authority. The Northwestern Pacific, known for its high rainfall, was not expected to experience such cold. Forested areas in the region are at risk of falling trees and power line outages. It was anticipated that rising temperatures on Wednesday would slightly improve the situation, but forecasts of morning frost led Portland public schools to cancel classes for the second consecutive day due to concerns over power outages, burst pipes, and unsafe sidewalks and parking lots. The Beaverton area, a suburban region, also announced school closures on Wednesday due to the lack of electricity and heating in many buildings. Courts, libraries, and parks in Portland and other parts of Multnomah County were also closed, and an emergency status was declared in the county until noon Wednesday, with emergency shelters set to remain open for one more night until midnight. Officials issued an urgent call for volunteer registration due to high demand for shelter services in an area where thousands of homeless individuals reside. Over 160 million Americans are affected by snowfall and freezing conditions; report by Behnam Nateghi. Widespread power outages in Ukraine; the U.S. is considering 'providing advanced equipment' to Ukraine.