Minute30.com .- What for many might seem like a Christmas card, for the residents of Tulsa, Oklahoma, has become a survival challenge. A powerful cold front from Canada has descended on the United States, causing what is already being classified as the heaviest snowfall in recent years in this region.
When opening the door of their homes, citizens find a wall of snow and frigid air that burns the skin. According to the latest weather reports, the temperature in Tulsa has plummeted to -15°C, an extreme cold that has paralyzed daily activities and has put authorities on high alert.
And when you open the door of the house it looks like this, in Tulsa. Photo: Courtesy
What is the Canadian cold front hitting the US?
This phenomenon, technically known as a polar or arctic air thrust, occurs when a mass of extremely cold, dense air breaks off from northern Canada and descends rapidly southward. When it collides with warmer or more humid air masses, it generates intense snowfall and sharp winds.
Unlike common winter storms, this front is characterized by a sudden thermal drop and a persistence that can last several days, freezing pipes, affecting the electricity supply and making vehicular traffic almost impossible without specialized equipment.
Tulsa below zero: A bleak and white panorama
Local residents describe the situation as “tremendous.” The accumulation of snow has exceeded records for the last decade in the city, completely covering vehicles and blocking access to homes. The thermal sensation, due to gusts of wind, can even be much lower than the official -15°C, increasing the risk of hypothermia and frostbite in a matter of minutes.
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Recommendations in the face of extreme cold
Oklahoma authorities have issued a series of recommendations for residents, including the large community of Latinos and Colombians residing in the area:
Stay indoors: Only go out in cases of extreme necessity.
Pipe protection: Let faucets drip to prevent water from freezing and breaking pipes.
Pet care: Do not leave animals outside under any circumstances.
Safe heating: Check that heating systems have adequate ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
The cold front is expected to continue its path east of the country, maintaining severe winter conditions for the rest of the week. The images circulating on social networks show an unrecognizable Tulsa, immersed in a winter that will go down in history.
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