Preparations are underway as a cold snap hits much of the United States, bringing below-freezing temperatures and snow.
An arctic cold air mass is expected to hit the Atlanta area, sending temperatures plunging Sunday night. The National Weather Service in Atlanta said some areas will remain below freezing for "several days."
"Please take precautions starting this weekend," the agency said in a post on X.
In Connecticut, about four to 10 inches of snow will fall across much of the state from late Sunday afternoon into Monday morning. Governor Ned Lamont said in a press release that a fleet of more than 600 snowplows and specialized snow removal equipment is ready for deployment. Crews will also be on call throughout the weekend and "will remain active until the roadways are clear of ice and snow," the release said.
"This storm has been forecast well in advance, which is why now is the time for motorists to plan ahead and get where they need to be before the snow falls on Sunday afternoon," Lamont said. "Stay home and watch if you can. Football game. If you need to drive, slow down and if you are near plows, keep a safe distance and let them do their job."
New York City Emergency Management said a winter weather advisory was issued for Sunday and Monday. The storm is expected to bring two to five inches of snow, with higher amounts possible in some areas.
Temperatures are also expected to drop below freezing on Monday, the department said in a news release, warning that travel conditions could be "hazardous."
"We are expecting snow on Sunday and a cold snap to hit the city tomorrow night into Wednesday," the New York City mayor said. To keep streets safe and clean, city agencies will implement snow removal protocols and provide shelter for homeless New Yorkers. Provide shelter," Eric Adams said in a statement.
Some cities are opening warming centers to provide shelter for people who need to escape the cold weather. In Alabama, centers will open in Dare, Mobile and Houston counties, the state Emergency Management Agency said. Columbus, Ohio's Recreation and Parks Department posted on the X website that the city will have five community centers serving as warming stations. Houston Mayor John Whitmire said the city will open 10 warming centers, and Chicago officials provided a list of open centers on the city website Monday.
Temperatures are expected to be in the upper 20s to upper 30s Sunday night into Monday morning, Harris County, Texas, meteorologist Jeff Lindner said at a news conference Saturday afternoon. between.
"It's going to be very cold outside," Lindner said.
The National Weather Service in Tallahassee, Florida, warned of severe weather and heavy rain throughout the day, with a bitter freeze set to begin Sunday night.
The cold snap has led to the cancellation of many celebrations of Martin Luther King Jr. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced Friday that parades and marches scheduled for Monday would not take place. She said city leaders will hold a small recognition event Monday morning at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial due to the extreme weather conditions.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott issued a similar statement.
He wrote on Facebook: "Baltimore, with severe winter weather expected this weekend, we have made the difficult decision to cancel this year's Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade out of the utmost concern for the safety of participants and spectators. "Thank you for your understanding and support."