Winter storm and severe cold sweeps across US

By Aya Elamroussi, Derrick Hinds, Travis Caldwell, Aditi Sangal, Leinz Vales and Adrienne Vogt, CNN

Updated 10:25 a.m. ET, December 23, 2022

What we’re covering

• Millions face severe weather: More than half the US population is under winter storm and wind chill alerts as a major storm slams multiple parts of the country, with cold temperatures reaching as far south as the US-Mexico border. More than 1 million Americans are now without power.
• Travel impacts: More than 3,300 flights have been canceled across the US for Friday. President Biden urged Americans to stay off the roads in inclement weather as some states experience blizzard conditions and road closures.
• Coldest Christmas: The cold will stick around for Christmas weekend, making this the coldest Christmas in roughly 40 years for parts of the Plains and Midwest.
• In the storm’s path? You can track the storm here. And view our lite site here if you’re in an area of low connectivity.

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SORT BYLatestOldest8 min ago

There has been at least 1 weather-related death on Kansas roads, state highway patrol reports

From CNN’s Rebekah Riess

Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) recorded three fatal crashes in north central Kansas on Wednesday evening, according to KHP Public Information Officer Lt. Candice Breshears.

There were three fatalities — one from each crash — but only one of those is confirmed to be weather-related, Breshears said.

The two other fatalities are “believed to be weather-related,” but the agency is waiting on troopers to further their investigations, Breshears told CNN.11 min ago

More than 1 million customers without power across the US Friday morning

Nationwide power outages have increased to more than 1,172,000 customers Friday morning, according poweroutage.us. 

Power outages are expected to continue to rise throughout the day. 

Here’s a breakdown in terms of national regions:

• Southeast — 311,859
• New England —304,304
• Mid-Atlantic — 240,294
• South — 196,921
• Great Lakes — 80,456
• Pacific — 30,855
• Midwest — 13,307
• Territories — 7,678
• Mountain — 326

36 min ago

Commercial vehicles banned from several interstate highways in New Jersey

From CNN’s Caroll Alvarado

Commercial vehicles will be banned from several New Jersey interstate highways due to the severe winter weather front hitting the state, the New Jersey Department of Transportation announced. 

The ban started at 9 a.m. ET Friday and will be in place until further notice, the agency said. 

Commercial vehicles will not be allowed on both directions of interstates 76, 78, 80, 195, 280, 287, 295, 676 and Route 440 while in the state.

“New Jersey is expected to see rain, strong winds and the potential for snow and ice as the storm moves through and temperatures drop rapidly, which could make driving conditions treacherous,” the agency said in a release.

Tractor-trailers, passenger vehicles pulling trailers and empty straight CDL-weighted trucks are some of the commercial vehicles that’ll be impacted by this ban. 47 min ago

Washington state’s King County suspends all metro services due to unsafe road conditions  

From CNN’s Hannah Sarisohn 

Bus service across King County, Washington, is suspended as buses are unable to leave bases due to “deteriorating and unsafe road conditions,” according to King County Metro. 

“Fast-accumulating ice and sub-freezing temperatures across King County have worsened and make it impossible for any buses to travel at the present time. We will add bus service as soon as it is safe for customers and employees,” according to King County Metro. 

Multiple streetcar lines are suspended along with paratransit, water taxis and community ride services. 

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