Over 60 million Americans under weather alerts as Storm Blair causes widespread travel chaos and extreme conditions.

A massive winter storm, dubbed Storm Blair, is wreaking havoc across North America, bringing a mix of snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. More than 60 million people in the US are under weather warnings, with the storm intensifying due to the polar vortex, a frigid air mass circulating around the Arctic.

A state of emergency has been declared in seven US states, and many parts of Canada are also on high alert. The storm’s severe conditions have already resulted in up to a foot (30 cm) of snow in some regions, while travel disruptions continue to escalate. Thousands of flights have been cancelled or delayed, and the storm is expected to bring the heaviest snowfall and lowest temperatures in over ten years.

Thirty states, including major cities like Washington DC and Philadelphia, are under weather warnings, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). A state of emergency has been announced in Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Arkansas, and parts of New Jersey.

Sunday was predicted to be the storm’s most severe day for many of the affected states, with snowstorms, road closures, and school shutdowns. Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska are under blizzard warnings, while Kansas City is experiencing its heaviest snow in 32 years, accumulating up to 40 cm of snow.

As the storm progresses eastwards, parts of Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC, and Delaware are bracing for the worst on Monday. Washington DC, where Congress is set to meet to certify President Trump’s election, is preparing for a heavy snowstorm and freezing conditions. Federal offices in the capital will be closed, although lawmakers are expected to continue their duties despite the weather.

The NWS has warned that this storm could result in the heaviest snowfall the US has seen in at least a decade, and temperatures could plummet 12-25°F (7-14°C) below normal for a week. This could lead to the coldest January since 2011, according to AccuWeather.

Flight cancellations reached over 1,700 on Sunday, with more than 8,300 flights delayed. Amtrak has also cancelled numerous services, and airlines like American, Delta, Southwest, and United are offering flexibility with change fees due to the ongoing disruptions.

In Canada, the polar vortex is also having a significant impact, with freezing temperatures spreading across the country. Some regions are facing snow squalls, while in Manitoba, the wind chill could drop temperatures to -40°C. Ontario is also expecting up to 38 cm of snow.

Road conditions are hazardous, with accidents involving trucks and cars, including a fire engine overturning near Salina, Kansas. The NWS warned that whiteout conditions could make travel perilous, with impassable roads and a high risk of motorists getting stranded. Additionally, severe thunderstorms capable of spawning tornadoes are expected to move east from Arkansas and Louisiana into Mississippi and Alabama.

Private meteorologist Ryan Maue described the situation as a “potential disaster,” adding that such extreme weather conditions are unprecedented in recent years.