WEBVTT

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- The winter holiday
season is here. Awesome.

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And along with it, National
Weather Service forecasters

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are predicting a dangerous
nationwide deep freeze,

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less awesome.

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Today through Saturday, bitter
cold, biting wind chills

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and storms are projected
to ravage most of the US.

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Winter related weather
warnings, advisories and watches

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are in effect in all but five states.

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Arctic air is set to dip
down as far south as Florida

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and Texas, in a phenomenon
known as a polar vortex

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where the usual circular
air currents break down.

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And fun fact, research
suggests climate change

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may be making polar vortexes

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more intense and more frequent.

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Because of the polar vortex,
thermometers will plummet

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into the negatives and single
digits for much of the country

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and the wind will make it
feel even colder than that.

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In Northern Texas, wind
chills are forecast to fall

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below negative 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

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Farther north in the Plain states,

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things could drop past negative 50

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which the weather service warns,

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"Can cause frostbite in
less than five minutes."

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Near the Great Lakes and farther east

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heavy snowfall and fierce gusts

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are likely to bring blizzard conditions.

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Short-lived but dangerous
snow squalls are also possible

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and forecasters are predicting sleet

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and heavy rains for the Pacific
Northwest and Mid-Atlantic,

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which could rapidly freeze
on roads into slick ice.

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Storms and rapid temperature
drops have already begun

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in Mountain West States.

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In less than 15 minutes, Dillon, Montana,

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went from about 30 degrees
Fahrenheit to below zero,

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and drivers found themselves

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stranded in whiteout conditions.

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In Cheyenne, temperatures fell a record

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40 degrees in 30 minutes.

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Taken all together, the
cold, ice, snow and wind

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pose a big risk to people
and infrastructure.

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Past polar vortexes have
caused mass power outages

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like the deadly February,
2021 freeze in Texas

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that left millions without electricity.

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Then there's holiday travel.

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Estimates say, "More
than 109 million people

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had plans to travel via road or air

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between December 23rd and January 2nd.

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However many local weather offices

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are warning people to reconsider
and stay home instead.

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Gizmodo recommends that you
keep tabs on conditions near you

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and follow all official guidelines.

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If a highway is closed,
don't try and drive on it.

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If you do still choose to drive

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be ready to keep warm in
your car if necessary,

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be prepared for the
possibility of power outages

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and double check flight statuses

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before heading to the airport.

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And most importantly, stay
safe and happy holidays.

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