The majority of the United States, which is home to over 250 million people, was swept by a strong winter storm that delivered severe cold and copious amounts of rain. In 12 US states, severe weather warnings are in place. Tuesday saw cold weather surge into the country's northwest before moving east. As predicted, the storm on Friday became a "explosive cyclone," a phenomena that occurs naturally in the middle latitudes when a cyclone abruptly increases during the day and atmospheric pressure rapidly lowers. 19 people have already lost their lives as a result of severe frosts, strong winds, and heavy snowfalls. Last Friday, hundreds of flights were cancelled and more than 1.5 million people in the country were left without energy.
