An unprecedented cold wave in the western regions of the United States, which caused school closures in Chicago on Thursday, February 30, is moving towards Boston and New York on the country's eastern shores. According to Reuters, a polar air front that shows no signs of easing will impact central U.S. regions on Friday morning. Bob Oravek, a meteorologist at the U.S. Weather Service, stated that temperatures in Chicago reached minus 22 degrees, an unprecedented record that is even colder than the record low of 1936. He added that the extremely cold winds in Chicago have dropped the temperature to 25 degrees below zero. Schools in Chicago, with 396,000 students, were closed on Thursday, and those commuting in the city covered their faces completely to protect against the cold. Tijay Rydel, a Chicago resident who enjoys the cold and was filming the Chicago River on his way to work, said, 'I love the cold weather because it’s cool, clean, and pollution-free.' In northern Chicago, Sarah Applin, who works at a travel service, mentioned that people's desire to travel has increased, adding, 'These days, we are very busy. The weather has gotten cold here, and people want to go elsewhere.' Bob Oravek noted that the biting cold moving eastward will complicate travel for residents of the eastern U.S., including Boston, Richmond, and Virginia, and added that record cold is expected to be broken again. Forecasts predict that temperatures in Washington and its surroundings will drop to 19 degrees below zero overnight, and schools and government offices in the area either closed or started late on Thursday. The cold in New York this week was so severe that Niagara Falls froze. Reuters reports that it seems 'being stuck at home' has enveloped the city of Boston. Last week, the record for the snowiest February in Boston's history was broken, with residents witnessing 2.4 meters of snowfall this winter. Many shared their experiences of being trapped indoors and in enclosed spaces, like diving into snow with swimsuits in the snowy mountains, by posting videos on social media. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, who complained about seeing videos of people diving into the snow from rooftops, car tops, and even second-story windows, said, 'This is a foolish act that could lead to people's deaths.'
Unprecedented Cold in the U.S. Moves from the West to the East Coast
A severe cold wave is sweeping across the U.S. from the West to the East Coast, causing record low temperatures and school closures. Meteorologists warn that the biting cold will complicate travel in major eastern cities like Boston and New York. This unprecedented weather event highlights the extreme climate challenges facing the region.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
An unprecedented cold wave is sweeping across the U.S., causing record low temperatures and school closures in major cities like Chicago and Boston.
- Temperatures in Chicago reached minus 22 degrees, breaking records.
- The cold wave is expected to move eastward, complicating travel in cities like Boston and New York.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Extreme weather events, such as cold waves and heavy snowfall, are becoming more common due to climate change, impacting daily life and infrastructure.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%