URGENT calls to seek shelter forced many to seek out cover as Winter Storm Landon brought tornado warnings to Alabama, ahead of severe snow and cold temperatures in Texas.
Tornado warnings were issued across multiple counties in Alabama on Thursday evening, due to high winds and pressure changes from the winter storm.
In some counties in the state, severe thunderstorm warnings and tornado watches remained in place through the night.
Winter Storm Landon is expected to stretch over 2,000 miles from New Mexico, across the Midwest, and up to Vermont in the Northeast.
The biggest impact is expected in the South where a crippling ice storm could see icy roads and power outages as temperatures plunge.
The Midwest could also experience potentially the biggest snowfall in a century.
The National Weather Service (NWS) predicts that between eight and 14 inches of snow could fall in the region.
Along the warmer side of the storm, strong thunderstorms capable of damaging wind gusts and tornadoes were possible Thursday in parts of Mississippi and Alabama, the Storm Prediction Center said.
In fact, the NWS confirmed a tornado touched down in Sumter County in Alabama on Thursday afternoon.
Read our Winter storm Landon live blog for the latest news and updates…
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What is a tornado watch?
A tornado watch is typically issued hours in advance of an actual tornado. It means that weather conditions are favorable for a tornado to form, but one hasn’t been spotted yet.
The NOAA Storm Prediction Center issues a tornado watch during times when the weather conditions show a possibility of severe weather.
A tornado watch can cover part of a state or several states, depending on the severity of the weather.
One should be prepared to act while a watch is in progress, but it doesn’t always mean severe weather is coming.
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Flights into Dallas-Fort Worth canceled
At Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, teams are working to clear runways while airlines cancel flights into the airport.
“Just getting word that all scheduled inbound American Air flights TO DFW Airport the rest of tonight, will not come in,” wrote CBS11 reporter Doug Dunbar on Twitter.
“Major ramp issues with ice, and a temp now at 22 degrees. The American Airlines ramps are now closed for the night. Dangerous conditions.”
Southwest also reportedly canceled flights into Dallas Love Field Airport on Thursday night.
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Texas sets up warming centers
Across Texas, warming centers are available to those who don’t have resources to stay safe through the winter storm.
Texas gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke shared a thread to Twitter with resources for county and city warming centers.
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High winds can reportedly trigger migraines
When it’s blowing a gale outside, the body can react as if it is under attack and produce so-called fight or flight reflexes, such as raised heart rate and heightened emotions.
And high winds can also trigger a migraine.
One reason is the effect on the hypothalamus, the area of the brain that monitors the body’s functions; it can lead to constriction or swelling of the blood vessels in the head which can cause the pain associated with migraine.
Scientists at the University of Calgary in Canada looked at the links between migraine sufferers having an attack and the occurrence of Canadian ‘Chinook’ winds – warm westerly winds specific to Alberta, Canada, which have a definite onset time and are an indicator of profound weather change.
Of 75 patients studied, 32 were more likely to have migraines during Chinook weather conditions than on days without them.
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Why joint pains can signal rain
Damp weather does seem to make joint pain and osteoarthritis worse.
While there is no conclusive evidence to explain this, it may be due to pressure receptors (baroreceptors) in the joint sensing the drop in atmospheric pressure when the weather changes from dry to rainy.
The level of fluid in the joint then fluctuates in response to these changes, which might trigger pain in the nerves.
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Winter storm names
These are the names the Weather Channel chose for winter storms during the 2021 to 2022 season:
- Atticus
- Bankston
- Carrie
- Delphine
- Elmer
- Frida
- Garrett
- Hatcher
- Izzy
- Jasper
- Kenan
- Landon
- Miles
- Nancy
- Oaklee
- Phyllis
- Quinlan
- Rachel
- Silas
- Tad
- Usher
- Vega
- Willow
- Xandy
- Yeager
- Zion
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Severe tornado damage in Alabama
In Hale County, Alabama, at least four were injured following a tornado.
Local station WVTM13 reports four were injured at a location on Highway 30, and homes along Highway 14 at Coleman Road were badly damaged.
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‘People should not let their guard down’
Meteorologists at the National Weather Service told Cleveland.com on Thursday morning that the worst snow the Northeast Ohio region could expect was still on the way.
Snow in the region is likely be in the 4 to 8-inch range on Thursday.
“We (NWS) emphasized that we would have the heaviest snow today for this storm system,” Jaszka said.
“People should not let their guard down if you do have to travel today. Give yourself extra time and leave plenty of space between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you.”
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NWS urges drivers to ‘slow down’
While retweeting a video of a car spinning out on the highway in Austin, the National Weather Service out of Austin/San Antonio urged drivers to take it easy during the winter weather on Twitter.
“Roads were mostly wet this AM, but as temperatures continue to fall, roads will become increasingly treacherous,” the agency wrote.
“Please stay off the roads unless you absolutely have to travel. If you do have to travel, slow down and give yourself plenty of extra time to get to your destination.”
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Austin first responders get hundreds of calls
First responders in Austin, Texas, responded to nearly 300 incidents in a 24-hour period ending Thursday morning, the agency said, according to the Weather Channel.
Those calls included 45 traffic crashes with injuries, 17 fires, and five reports of “arcing wires.”
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Arkansas state offices closed by governor
Governor Asa Hutchinson closed all state office buildings on Thursday afternoon except for critical operations, a press release noted.
“Due to poor road conditions in many areas of the state, Governor Asa Hutchinson has closed State office buildings except for critical operations today, Thursday, February 3, 2022,” the statement began.
“State employees who can telework should do so, and Cabinet Secretaries may implement liberal leave policies for their employees who cannot telework. Citizens should utilize virtual services or delay their in-person visit until offices reopen.”
The press release added that state employees outside the impacted areas should contact a supervisor for further instructions.
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Gas pumps frozen in Texas
A social media user shared a photo of gas pumps frozen in Texas.
“Gas pumps completely frozen here in Denton TX! Winter Storm Landon is wreaking havoc with all this ice!” Jordan Hall, a storm chaser, shared on Twitter.
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What is the name of the storm?
This winter storm has been named Landon.
According to the list of winter storm names 2021-22 issued by The Weather Channel, the next major storm after Kenan was set to be named Landon, and this one fits the bill.
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Precautions to take
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging consumers to take precautions for storms like Winter Storm Landon.
The CPSC’s tips include:
- Use any portable gas generators safely. “Read the label on your generator and the owner’s manual BEFORE use,” the agency warns
- You should use your generator OUTSIDE your house ONLY, “at least 20 feet from your home,” if you lose power
- Don’t use a generator inside a home, garage, or shed. “Carbon monoxide from generators is poisonous and can KILL you in minutes. CO is called the ‘invisible killer'” because you cannot see it or smell it.”
- Have working CO alarms
- Have working smoke alarms and check the batteries
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Tornado confirmed in Alabama
The National Weather service out of Birmingham confirmed a tornado touched down on the Western side of the state of Alabama.
“Radar CONFIRMED tornado (lofted debris) just NE of the HWY 80 / SR 17 intersection south of York in Sumter County,” the agency shared on Twitter.
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‘Severe weather threat’ in the South
Alex Wallace, a meteorologist for the Weather Channel, warned that tornadoes are possible in parts of the South thanks to this storm, highlighting areas like Birmingham, Alabama and Gulfport, Mississippi on Twitter.
“Heads up! There is a severe weather threat as you head south out of the winter weather,” he wrote on the social media platform.
“Watch for some damaging wind gusts & even a few isolated tornadoes. A watch issued by @NWSSPC is likely this afternoon.”
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Why did the US start naming storms, continued
Established by the World Meteorological Organization, a list of names are now used to identify Atlantic hurricanes on a six-year rotation.
The only time that there is a change is if a storm is so deadly or costly that the future use of its name on a different storm is considered inappropriate.
In the event that more than twenty-one named tropical cyclones occur in a season, a supplemental list of names are used.
As for winter storms, The Weather Channel has been naming winter storms since the 2012-2013 winter season.
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Why did the US start naming storms?
Tropical storms and hurricanes were tracked by year and the order they occurred until the early 1950s.
However, over time, it was discovered that distinctive names would be needed to reduce confusion and streamline communications when two or more tropical storms occur at the same time.
That came after storm advisories broadcast from radio stations were mistaken for warnings concerning an entirely different storm located hundreds of miles away.
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Ice weighing down trees in Texas
On Thursday morning in Collin County, Texas, which is located northeast of Dallas, ice was beginning to weigh down trees in the southern state, according to social media posts.
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‘Lots of ice’
The Weather Channel on Twitter retweeted a post from Greg Postel, a hurricane and storm expert for the station, that noted, “The weather situation around Memphis, TN is getting really bad, with lots of ice being reported.”
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Dallas Fort Worth International Airport impacted
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Texas is open, but operations teams are clearing the runways as they’re being treated for snow and ice, CBS DFW reported on Thursday.
On Thursday morning, no flights were taking off or landing from the airport.
But officials at the airport said they anticipated opening the first runway back up around 9:30am local time.
“Before sunrise on February 3rd the airport, which is the hub for Fort Worth-based American Airlines, had already canceled more than 700 flights,” the outlet noted.
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One dead in New Mexico
The Weather Channel confirmed the death of one person in a weather-related accident in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, just east of Albuquerque.
The crash happened Wednesday, the outlet noted.
No other details were immediately available.
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What is a winter weather warning?
A winter weather warning indicates that a storm is more than likely in your area, and you should take action immediately.
Expect dangerous conditions and try to avoid travel.
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What is a winter weather watch?
A winter weather watch indicates that there is potential for severe winter weather.
If a winter weather watch is issued, prepare for dangerous weather conditions.
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What is a winter weather advisory?
A winter weather advisory is an indication that winter weather conditions are likely.
However, the conditions expected are not severe enough to warrant a warning.