Warnings for Millions as Massive Cold Front Hits US from Texas to New York

Millions of Americans from Texas to New York are under frost advisories and freeze warnings Friday afternoon as a massive cold front sweeps across the United States, bringing a sharp and unseasonable drop in temperatures at the start of May.The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a wide swath of cold-weather alerts across the Southern Plains, Midwest, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic as the front pushed east, with nighttime lows expected to plunge below freezing in some areas. Forecasters warned the sudden chill could damage early-season crops and sensitive vegetation, posing a particular risk as much of the country has already entered the growing season.The surge of cold temperatures is the result of a polar vortex that hit in March and April, AccuWeather lead long-range expert Paul Pastelok told Newsweek. It "created an atmospheric traffic jam" that allowed waves of cold air to move south from Canada into the Midwest and Northeast, Pastelok said. "Below-average departures during the first 10 days of May will be significant, especially in the Ohio Valley, Great Lakes and interior Northeast," Pastelok said. ...On Friday afternoon, frost advisories and or freeze warnings were in place for the following states: Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa, Missouri,