Although many places in the US get heavy snowfall in the winter, the Valley is inexperienced with that kind of weather. This fact still remains, except for the fact that the rest of the country is experiencing the largest snowstorm there’s been for years. According to BBC, the storm was caused by an arctic polar vortex, which created a bunch of cold air that made its way down towards the U.S. This still however, does not surpass the largest snowstorm in the history of America. According to AAA, it happened in 1888 which poured approximately 55 inches of snow in some areas, such as New Jersey 

The areas affected by the storm are spread across the nation, because of  flights getting delayed, but the places directly getting snowed on  are a different question. Utah to Maine were all covered with snow, with areas such as New Mexico even getting 31 inches of snow. 

There were many fatalities in the storm, all tragic, with six people presumed dead in Maine after their private jet crashed. According to CNN, the jet was heading to Paris from Maine Bangor airport. The flight was cleared to fly, but only a couple minutes later air traffic control said that the jet was flipped upside down. The Federal Aviation Administration report says the plane “crashed under unknown circumstances on departure, came to rest inverted, and caught fire”. 

Americans like to prepare for the apocalypse every time something out of the ordinary happens, like this snow storm. People who like to shop at Costco, Target, Walmart, and other stores, are all buying in bulk to prepare for the heavy snowfall. Produce shelves and chip isles, and even toilet paper isles are all being bought out. This might seem odd but there is a method to this madness. Buying in bulk helps people stay inside, and prevents an increase in casualties during these events.

Overall, snowstorms can be very dangerous and life threatening whether it is hypothermia or a crash of some sorts. Stay safe and buy in bulk if one has the chance.