National Weather Service

The National Weather Service (NWS) is a US government agency responsible for providing weather forecasts and warnings to protect life and property. Recent news highlights the NWS's crucial role in alerting the public to a severe winter storm impacting a large portion of the United States. Twenty-six states, from Texas to Massachusetts, were under storm warnings issued by the NWS. This widespread weather event has brought heavy snow, freezing rain, and dangerously cold temperatures, leading to widespread power outages affecting nearly a million customers, thousands of flight cancellations, and at least ten reported deaths. The NWS's warnings are essential for informing emergency response efforts, guiding travel decisions, and helping individuals prepare for and mitigate the impacts of these hazardous conditions. The agency's alerts are particularly relevant as another potentially significant winter storm is being monitored, threatening further disruption.