Introduction
A powerful winter storm affecting the southeastern United States over the weekend caused significant transportation disruptions and literally froze iguanas from trees in Florida due to the extreme cold.
Impact on Transportation
Heavy snowfall in North Carolina and neighboring states since Saturday led to hundreds of road accidents, despite authorities advising residents to stay indoors. Hundreds of flights were canceled at airports across the region.
Although the worst of the storm has passed, a polar vortex will continue to affect large parts of the country through Monday, bringing unusually cold temperatures even to Florida.
Orlando Airport Temperature Record
The Orlando airport recorded -4°C early Sunday morning, the lowest temperature ever registered for February in over a century.
Unusual Phenomenon in Florida
In a state known for its beaches and warm temperatures, these conditions cause an unusual phenomenon: the falling of iguanas. When temperatures drop near or below 0°C, these cold-blooded reptiles become immobile.
According to Florida’s wildlife agency, iguanas sometimes “fall from trees” under these conditions. As temperatures rise, these reptiles regain movement.
Residents were authorized on Friday to rescue and care for any iguanas they found on the ground. Social media posts on Sunday showed images of these large lizards having fallen to the ground.
Recent Winter Storm Impact
Just a week prior, another winter storm swept across much of the United States, leaving over 100 people dead.
Tens of thousands of homes remain without power in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Louisiana. This weekend, snow fell only in a handful of southeastern states, but up to 40 cm was reported near Wilmington, North Carolina, a coastal town.
The heavy snowfall caused more than 1,000 vehicular accidents in North Carolina alone, according to Governor Josh Stein, resulting in two reported deaths.
More than 1,700 flights were canceled on Sunday, according to FlightAware, with Charlotte’s airport being the most affected, canceling over half of its flights.
The harsh weather conditions also postponed a crucial fuel supply test at Cape Canaveral, Florida, for a NASA rocket destined for the Artemis 2 lunar mission.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the winter storm causing in the southeastern United States? The storm is causing significant transportation disruptions, including road accidents and flight cancellations.
- Why are iguanas falling from trees in Florida? Iguanas, being cold-blooded reptiles, become immobile when temperatures drop near or below 0°C. As temperatures rise, they regain movement.
- What was the lowest temperature recorded at Orlando airport? The airport registered -4°C early Sunday morning, the lowest temperature ever for February in over a century.
- How many flights were canceled due to the winter storm? More than 1,700 flights were canceled on Sunday, with Charlotte’s airport being the most affected.
- What recent winter storm impacted the United States? A winter storm hit much of the U.S. a week prior, causing over 100 deaths and leaving tens of thousands without power.
