Young YOU: news of the week

AMAJOR ice and snowstorm named Uri had a devastating impact on parts of the United States in February. Extremely cold weather caused a huge amount of snowfall, Arctic winds battered several states and temperatures dropped to well below zero.

Flights were cancelled, cars were left with sheets of ice on windscreens and lampposts were covered in icicles.

Some areas experienced days of snowfall and snow measuring 27cm deep lay on the ground.

Where did the storm come from?

The icy weather started as an Arctic blast in Siberia in northern Russia. Usually, fast-moving air currents called a jet stream keep the Arctic’s freezing air in place at the top of the globe.

Here it forms a polar vortex (a low-pressure area, or a wide expanse of swirling cold air, that’s confined to the polar regions). But the Earth’s warming climate can weaken the jet stream and cause it to “bend”.

In the case of Uri, warm air pushed up towards the Arctic and caused the polar vortex to flow south, taking freezing conditions with it.

The storm first hit the west coast of the US before moving across to the east.

Trouble in Texas

Texas, one of the warmer states in the southern part of America, was badly affected by Uri.

The state is known for its hot, dry weather, deserts and heatwaves – and its winter is usually mild.

The storm resulted in more than 80% of Texas being covered in snow and was the worst snowstorm to affect the region in 72 years.

Temperatures dropped to -14°C at the height of the storm. Average winter temperatures in Texas are usually around 4°C.

The cold weather left as many as three million homes and businesses in the state without electricity for several days.

The electricity grid couldn’t cope with the high demand for power as people tried to keep warm indoors.

Homes, schools, businesses and hotels in Texas were damaged by the harsh elements.

Many buildings were flooded as the icy temperatures caused pipes to freeze and burst. Damage in the state is estimated at $50 billion (R733 billion).

Death and destruction

At least 47 people died in America as a result of Uri. A number of animals in zoos, such as chimpanzees and lemurs, also perished in the cold.

US president Joe Biden declared a state of emergency (when government policies allow immediate action to safeguard and protect citizens) in Texas and Oklahoma.

He also ordered emergency supplies to be delivered to people in need in Texas. More than 729 000 litres of water, 225 000 meals and 60 000 blankets were distributed.