Freezing Rain Wreaks Havoc in Baltimore

It's been a rough winter on the East Coast, where the polar vortex and related events keep hammering residents with ice, snow, and more. In Baltimore this morning, a freezing rain brought the city nearly to a halt as power shutdowns, innavigable roads, and other challenges made it virtually impossible to get on with daily business. Wise public officials closed schools and advised people to stay off the roads, if possible, as they worked on recovering services for Baltimore residents.

The bad weather across the East Coast has been the subject of many disgruntled and frustrated complaints, but it could also be a harbinger of times to come. As cities cope with harsh weather, should they be thinking about long-term planning for future weather events of a similar scope? Climate scientists say yes, and caution that everything from Baltimore roofing to New York concrete may need to be retooled to prepare for shifting climate conditions.

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