Heavy Snow Blankets Kansas as Bitter Cold Grips Northeast
A storm hit the nation’s midsection Wednesday, dumping up to 18 inches of snow in Kansas in 24 hours, while the Northeast shivered in arctic cold that sent thousands of homeless scurrying for shelter.
Forecasters at isolated Mt. Washington, N.H., estimated that a low temperature of 21 below zero and 116-m.p.h. winds combined for a wind chill factor of about 200 degrees below zero.
“That’s a chill factor that falls off the chart,” said meteorologist Chris Smallis. “That’s ridiculous. You go outside and freeze instantly.”
The storm left thousands of motorists stranded in Kansas and snowmobiles were dispatched to help them reach shelters.
Winter storm warnings were issued for Missouri, Nebraska, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky.
Single-digit low temperatures were recorded across most of New England, and New York City’s temperature of 16 degrees made it the coldest morning of the winter.
More than 8,500 homeless people in New York City sought refuge from the cold Tuesday night, a record 7,055 at city shelters and 1,500 at private facilities.
The temperature fell to 3 below zero at Montpelier, Vt., and to 9 degrees at Boston, where record numbers of homeless people crowded shelters, soup kitchens and churches.
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