This weekend USA and Canada observed bitter, frigid weather with temperatures reaching minus 78 Celsius (-108 degrees Fahrenheit). Both countries took emergency measures to aid people.
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Dipping temperatures scare civilians
The United States of America (USA) and Canada reported some of their lowest temperatures this year due to the Arctic Blast. The temperatures recorded were minus 78 degrees Celsius (-108 degrees Fahrenheit). Life-threatening conditions were created in the continent as a combination of weather phenomena was witnessed – cold temperatures and powerful winds scared the people.
Several cities conducted emergency rescue operations by providing shelters to the homeless and opening up warming centers.
The Mount Washington Observatory also recorded new air temperature that peaked at -44C (-47F). The winds were recorded to be gusting at the speed of 160 kilometers per hour (100 miles per hour).
What is an Arctic Blast?
Arctic Blast is a weather phenomenon observed in the North American continent. Its process begins when frigid air collected over the snow-covered ground of the Arctic gets pushed towards the US and Canada due to air currents found in the upper and middle atmosphere. It can create storms called bomb cyclones, they drop the atmospheric pressure too quickly and make weather conditions hard to survive.
The US National Weather Service defines an Arctic Blast as very cold air masses that typically originate in the Siberian Region of Asia, cross over the North Pole into Canada, and push south and east into the lower United States.
Areas Affected in the USA and Canada
According to Environment Canada, Montreal, and Toronto have reached the lowest along with Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and Labrador. While the US reports Albany, New York; Augusta, Maine; Rochester, New York; and Worcester, Massachusetts to be the cities where Arctic Blast has the most effect.
People are complaining about frostquakes, earthquake-like tremors felt due to cracking of the soil. Many trees have split open due to the cold. In Boston, public schools have closed down as the low temperature hit -23C (-10F). In Rhode Island, the mercury dropped to -23C (-9F). These temperatures are being broken down after a century.
This weather was expected to last for a short bit but weather experts are saying that it might go on for a longer period this time.
The Government takes measures for the people.
To brace for the brutal cold, emergency and rescue measures have been taken to aid the people, especially the homeless. Warming centers have been opened for everyone and an outreach program is conducted to ensure that homeless people are protected and sheltered.
In Boston, one of the largest providers of homeless services has doubled the number of vans on the city’s streets this weekend. “They started going out early this week to warn people that the weather was going to be very extreme, the goal last night was just to keep people alive and safe.” said a spokesman.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey ordered South Station the city’s main rail terminal must remain open overnight to serve as an emergency shelter. It has been estimated that about 50 to 60 homeless people stayed in the station overnight.
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