Arctic Blast Freezes South: Power Outages Persist

Arctic air is currently sweeping across the southeastern United States, bringing with it freezing temperatures that are impacting millions. This blast of winter weather follows a deadly storm that occurred last week. Hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses are still without power for the sixth day on Friday.

The National Weather Service has warned that temperatures will plummet into the teens in Tennessee, a state significantly affected by recent storms. Poweroutage.us reports that nearly 230,000 customers are still without electricity, with the majority in Tennessee and Mississippi. These areas are expected to face more wintry conditions as early as Friday night.

Further south, Florida is also experiencing the unusual cold. Rare snow flurries are predicted for parts of the state, including the Tampa Bay area, though accumulations are unlikely. Miami is expected to drop below freezing, potentially setting new record lows. NASA has already delayed a crucial test flight for its Artemis 3 moon rocket due to the cold.

The prolonged freeze poses a significant threat to Florida's agricultural sector. Farmers are taking measures such as harvesting crops early and using irrigation to protect sensitive plants. Unusual hazards, like iguanas falling from trees, are also a concern. The cold snap is part of a larger weather system originating from Canada, bringing dangerously cold temperatures to much of the Gulf coast and southeastern US.