Arctic Blast Threatens 22 States with Life-Threatening Cold; Maps Reveal Storm’s Destructive Trajectory

Okay, I need to shorten this article to about 600 words and add some pictures. Let me start by reading through the original content to understand the key points.

The main points are:

• Another winter storm is hitting 22 eastern states.
• Arctic air is causing dangerous cold, with temperatures dropping to deadly lows.
• 10 deaths already, including a mother and child.
• List of affected states: Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, etc.
• Snow and ice spreading from central states to mid-Atlantic, up to a foot of snow.
• Polar vortex leading to life-threatening cold, -10°F to -60°F wind chills.
• Warnings from NWS about frostbite risks.
• Storm movement from central states to the East, with potential travel disruptions, flight cancellations, and power outages.
• End of the severe weather after this storm.

First, I need to condense each section. The list of states can be summarized, maybe grouping some to shorten. The details about the storm’s path and impact on different regions (Midwest, mid-Atlantic, Northeast) should be concise. The technical terms from meteorologists might need simplification.

Pictures placement: The original mentions images with captions. I should note where to place them, like after mentioning the Arctic blast, the grand-finale storm, travel impacts, etc.

Potential sections for the shortened article:

1. Introduction with the storm and Arctic blast.
2. Affected states (condensed list).
3. Previous storms and current conditions, including casualties.
4. Temperature specifics and frostbite warnings.
5. Storm’s progression and snowfall predictions.
6. Travel disruptions and advice.
7. End of the storm series and lingering cold.

Need to check word count as I go. Maybe combine paragraphs where possible. Remove redundancy, like repeated mentions of states or storm phases.

Now, inserting images. Original has several; choosing 3-4 key images with captions. For example, people shoveling snow, a snow-covered car, airport delays, icy roads. Should mention these image placeholders in the text briefly.

Avoiding too many specifics from the original URLs and linking; since it’s a rewrite, those can be omitted unless crucial.

Make sure the final summary flows well and maintains all critical info: what’s happening, where, when, dangers, precautions, and the storm’s end.
Major Winter Storm and Arctic Blast Strike Eastern U.S.

A powerful winter storm is sweeping across 22 eastern states, bringing heavy snow, ice, and dangerous Arctic temperatures. The storm caps off a relentless series of weather systems that have battered the U.S. since early February, compounding challenges for regions still recovering from prior snowfalls.

Affected Areas
States in the storm’s path include Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and much of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, from Virginia to Maine. Over 60 million Americans are under warnings for life-threatening cold, with wind chills plunging to -60°F in some areas.

Deadly Cold and Casualties
A polar vortex has already pushed temperatures to historic lows, contributing to at least 10 fatalities over the weekend. Tragically, a mother and her seven-year-old daughter died after becoming trapped in their car during the extreme cold.

Storm Progression and Snowfall
The storm began with snow and ice in central states like Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri on Monday, where over six inches of accumulation is expected. By Wednesday, it will shift to the Mid-Atlantic, threatening Washington D.C., Virginia, and Maryland with up to 12 inches of snow—potentially their heaviest snowfall this winter. The Northeast, including Boston and Portland, Maine, could see 3–6 inches, with higher totals if the storm tracks closer to the coast.

Dangerous Travel and Ice Risks
The National Weather Service (NWS) warns of hazardous conditions