NEW YORK -- The United States has been plunged into an unseasonal freeze, with temperatures up to 15 degrees lower than average for mid-November. Some areas of New York State, on the country’s eastern coast, have suffered more than six feet of snow, with Buffalo, NY, experiencing 60-inches on Tuesday. The snowfall has been accompanied by wind gusts up to 40 mph and visibility near zero.
The weather has led to seven deaths, with freezing temperatures of around -5 degrees hitting New York City, Philadelphia and Washington DC. Much of the Midwest is also suffering from the icy blast; even in the south cities, such as Atlanta, Houston and New Orleans, are experiencing an unusual freeze.
According to meteorologists, the entire mainland US plunged to around freezing on Tuesday, with the snap expected to continue until the end of the week. The weather has left many people trapped in their cars, with state troopers and members of the National Guard deployed to rescue around 150 people across different states.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a statement on Tuesday: "Travel bans and advisories remain in effect, and I urge drivers to stay off the roads so that our state agencies and the National Guard can assist those that need help".
Speaking to AP, Linda Oakley of Buffalo, said:"We have tried to get out of our house, and we are lucky to be able to shovel so we can open the door. Basically, that's it, open the door." She added: "We're just thinking that in case of an emergency we can at least get out the door. We can't go any further. All around us, it's a solid four feet of snow that is so thick and so heavy you can hardly move it with a shovel."