. extreme weather alert. the plows are out, snow, ice and vehicles are piling up. >> snow is creating blizzard like conditions several governors have declared a state of emergencier, and activating crews as the worse is yet to come. republicans divide over impeachment as democrats defend their strategy. >> we successfully prosecuted him and convicted him in the court of public opinion. plus, vaccine milestone, 50 million get their shots as infections fall. >> now, is the time to not let up our guard.

>> prime minister boris johnson cbs news, how britain is trying beat back covid. >> in the arm wrestle, science is winning. >> in asia, millions mark the holiday at home. and later this valentine's day, a minnesota couple proves that time is no match for true love. >> the love is second to none. ♪ ♪ this is the "cbs overnight news." good evening, much of the country tonight is bracing for a major blast of winter and bone-chilling cold. this weekend, seattle saw its most snow in nearly half a century, tonight, 160 million people are under winter weather alerts. snow is expected from texas to maine, ice is a big concern in the south and the northeast.

the midwest is already in a deep freeze with arctic air expected to descend all the way to the gulf coast. cbs is in k okay city, tonight, last check, six degrees where you are standing. >> reporter: that's exactly right. here's the deal, it has been snowing all day here in oklahoma city, and even though it says it's 6 degrees, it feels around 15. minus 15 with the wind chill. we can only be outside for about 10-15 minutes at a time, because our finger and toes start to tingle. it's a dangerous snow system on all sorts of levels. a massive snow storm leaves 10s of thousands of people without power. heavy snow and wind targeting the pack northwest first. >> it's been tough, we have no gas, we are all electric at our house so, heat in the house has been the biggest issue. >> in washington, a massive pile up shut down the west bound lanes of i-had 90 on saturday for hours. love and happiness on this

valentine's day swept aside by the same storm creeping in to the southeast overnight. officials blaming treacherous road conditions for the big rig fire in oklahoma city, are roads are covered with snow. kate collins is heading north with 80,000 pounds behind her. >> my biggest concern on the road was inexperienced drivers going slow on the freeway and swerving because they don't know where the lines are. >> reporter: but many are heeding the warning and staying home and making the most of the winter wonder land. for the first time in texas, all 254 counties are under a winter storm warning. the temperature in dallas, colder than in alaska. so right now, we have two major weather systems coming together across the country. a strong storm track right here. and some of the coldest air of the polar vortex, making incredibly dangerous ice in the

deep south. >> reporter: a potentially messy mash up on a day usually reserved for perfect pairings. up to 400 record temperatures could come through with the storm throughout the country through the middle of the week. the storm is expected to hit louisiana and mississippi next and it combines with wet weather, we could see dangerous conditions. >> thank you so much. a day after the senate acquitted former president donald trump, a historic second impeachment trial, leaders on both sides are speaking out, so is mr. trump's son, eric, posting this on twitter, 2-0, skyler henry is at the white house for us. and skyler, good evening. >> reporter: good evening to you, there's a new fissure in

the representublican party, he s a potent force now and in to the next political cycle. >> he is here by acquitted of the charge. >> reporter: house impeachment managers are standing by their strategy after the senate voted to acquit former president donald trump. >> i thought that i successfully demolished them at the trial. you know, there's no reasoning with people who basically are, you know, acting like members of a religious cult and when they leave office should be selling flowers at dulles airport. >> reporter: seven republicans sided with democrats, including newly re-elected louisiana senate, big kacassidy, he was immediately censured for his vote. >> the represublicans are about ideas. >> reporter: and others disagree, feeling that trump is vital. >> my goal is to win in 2022, to stop the most radical agenda coming out of the democratic

presidency of joe biden. we cannot do it without donald trump, he is ready to hit the trail and i'm ready to work with him. >> reporter: others are cutting ties. in a statement, president biden said, even those who oppose the conviction, like senator minority leader mitch mcconnell, believe donald trump was guilty of a disgraceful dereliction of duty, interest and was responsible for unleashing the violence on the capitol. >> if president trump was still in office, i would have carefully considered if the specific charge was approved. >> reporter: pelosi said that it was mcconnell that chose to delay the trial. >> it was a disingenuous is speech. >> reporter: he is still in legal had jeopardy. including close scrutiny of his businesses in new york before he became president.

>> a big reveal from prince harry and meghan, the duchess of sussex, megan is expecting. look at the photo. the couple is saying they are over joyed the family now calls santa barbara, california home, good luck to then. the "cbs overnight news" will be right back.

♪ ♪ this is the "cbs overnight news." the race to vaccinate america is accelerating and hit a new milestone this weekend. 50 million shots with 37 million people receiving the first dose, 13 million getting the second dose. cbs's in los angeles for the latest. good evening. >> reporter: good evening, we are at the forum in l.a., it's one of the few large scale vaccinations. the shortage of vaccines have led to closures and postponed

appointments and widespread frustration. long lines and these people are the lucky ones, they are getting a shot, vaccine shortages are forcing five city sites in l.a.. they could give 600,000 doses a week if they have the supply. staffing is not an issue. the military is stepping in to help in a new site. >> our d.o.d. providers are ready to go and ready to work to make sure that we get vaccinations in arms as soon as possible. >> reporter: only 3.3% of californians have been fully vaccinated. and nationwide, more super sites are up and running. but there's growing concern about the covid-19 variants. cdc director with this warning on face the nation. >> now is the time to not let up our guard, now is the time to double down. >> reporter: still, in atlanta, 10s of thousands of people this

weekend crowded in doors for a national cheerleading competition this just is days after georgia hit a new single day death record. los angeles icu nurse said she has seen too much death from surge after surge, tell me what it's like to leave here and your interactions your family, with your community, how do you deal with the difference? >> they don't understand that like, one minute, you know, when a patient is on their bellies and you turn them over and they code on you. it's a lot. >> reporter: covid cases are dropping in all 6 million californians of today have received a shot, but here in l.a. county, officials are anxiously awaiting to find out how many doses they are going to get this week. >> for us in los angeles, thank you. we want to turn now to cbs news medical contributor dr. david a

kbmp ggus, good evening and happy valentine's day to the you. >> same to you. >> i want to start off asking you about the vaccine. they are in high demand and short supply, what makes producing the sacvaccines fasteo challenging right now? >> we did well in the clinical trials, getting them in arms to show they work and show there's safety. but manufacturing is a step that is hard to shortcut. to scale manufacturing normally takes several years and we are doing it in several months. more weeks more vaccines are being manufactured, hopefully we will have the j and j vaccine in two weeks that will increase supply. and by march, we should have more supply across the country so everyone who wants to can get vaccinated. >> as we cross the 50 million shots given in tuhe u.s. can people who are vaccinated get

and transmit the virus? >> this is not what we call a sterilizing immunity vaccine. it's an effective immunity vaccine. which means if you get the vaccine, most likely 65-70%, we think, you will not have the virus at all if you are exposed, another 30% can have levels of virus. we know from a study in israel, it's dramatically lower than those who were not vaccinated. but, they can still have virus and they can spread it and about 5-10% can be symptomatic. it's not a free pass. the cdc issued recommendations recently, if you have been exposed to someone after the vaccine, you do not have to quarantine. i imagine they are changed. >> and lastly the cdc is provided the guidelines for getting kids back in to class. do you think vaccinating teachers should be required before schools re-open? >> listen, i hope and pray that all teachers are vaccinated.

i don't think it needs to be required, it's a good thing. but what we know is, kids that go to school, their virus exposure is less than that, in the community. so, it's not required. >> all right had, dr. david aggus, breaking it down for us again, thank you so much, for us in los angeles. thank you. worldwide, nearly 163 million vaccine doses have been administered, but there's not equal access for all. elizabeth palmer is in london tonight. it's taken just ten weeks for the uk to vaccinate almost 15 million britains, one of the highest rates in the world. the over 70s and health care workers are now done. the over 65s are next. urged on by tongue and cheek ads featuring older celebrities like elton john. >> just pretend that you are having the vaccine from a nurse. >> oh. >> what was that, elton? >> that was me, acting.

>> okay. let's cut that. >> a confident prime minister boris johnson was on cbs's face the nation this morning. >> i reckon science in the arm wrestle, science is winning. >> and so is johnson winning at last, over the past year, his government's policies failed to prevent one of the highest covid death rates in the world. but it is coming down now, and in the uk, and across europe and there's a tentative easing of restricts, in belgium, hairdressers at last opened their doors, catalonia in spain went ahead with their election and ski hills opened for an extremitial y iy iy ial -- for experimental two weeks. not so in the developing world. mexico for example, where deaths are again, rising sharply. the pandemic is filling graveyards. and giving coffin manufacturers

more orders than they can handle as the government scrambles to secure a bigger share of the world's precious vaccine. on the up side, manufacturing is ramping up steeply with drug companies setting their targets in the billions of doses by the end of the year. elizabeth palmer, cbs news, london. >> there's more news ahead on the "cbs overnight news." millions celebrate the year of the ox after a year of the pandemic. also, we will meet larry who's marking an anniversary as britain's chief mouser. later, we celebrate valentine's did you know prilosec otc can stop frequent heartburn before it begins? heartburn happens when stomach acid refluxes into the esophagus. prilosec otc uses a unique delayed-release formula that helps it pass through the tough stomach acid. it then works to turn down acid production, blocking heartburn at the source.

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just apppply and go.o. trtry new cresest whiteninig emulsisions. betterer. fafaster. 100% whiteter teeth. shshop crestwhwhitesmile.c.m fire workers lit up the night sky in china. part of a weekend long party to usher in the lunar new year, the area of the ox. it was a similar scene all across the country. all part of an ancient festival to mark the end of winter and the start of spring. but once again this year, lunar celebrations are subdued because of the pandemic and it's keeping billions close to home. cbs is in beijing. >> reporter: in this year of broken traditions, family reunions are streamed, people cry on state tv, unable to

travel home to their parents and transport hubs are quiet. train travel plunged 70% in the first two weeks of the chinese new year, in year's past, gateways for 300 million migrant workers the world's biggest annual human migration. this this musician bought a ticket and then returned it, she is now alone in beijing, her mom and dad, 500 miles south have not been in the capitol for ten months. what to your parents say? >> they want me to go back of course and i want to go back. but due to the situation, i think it's better to be safe. >> reporter: but staying in the city doesn't mean staying inside. beijing is crowded for china's biggest travel holiday. last chinese new year, we reported how quiet it was, people isolated at home, temple fairs cancelled this is what the temple of earth looks like this chinese new year, there's people around, lots of them. families walking. children playing.

and now, most public celebrations have been cancelled this year for the second year in a row. but beijing definitely feels alive. to keep people in place, cities have given away shopping coupons and even free money. many who do leave have to quarantine for two weeks. it's ultimately a choice for most to stay. so, she chose to go. she took a high speed train with her boyfriend, 700 miles south to reunite with her parents >> i'm very excited. very happy to see my family again. >> reporter: chinese tv celebrated the country's talents, people and military in its annual lunar new year gala, millions watching from home, so many not traveling. cbs news, beijing. >> we are with all finding new ways to celebrate. still ahead, we will meet larry the cat, the do you have a life insurance policy you no longer need? now you can sell your policy, even a term policy, for an immediate

cash payment. call coventry direct to learn more. we thought we had planned carefully for our retirement. but we quickly realized that we needed a way to supplement our income. our friends sold their policy to help pay for their medical bills and that got me thinking. maybe selling our policy could help with our retirement. i'm skeptical, so i did some research and called coventry direct. they explained life insurance is a valuable asset that can be sold. we learned that we can sell all of our policy or keep part of it with no future payments, who knew? we sold our policy. now we can relax and enjoy our retirement as we had planned. if you have one hundred thousand dollars or more of life insurance you may qualify to sell your policy. don't cancel or let your policy lapse without finding out what it's worth. visit conventrydirect.com to find out if you policy qualifies. or call the number on your screen. coventry direct, redefining insurance. ready to s shine from thehe inside ouout? trtry nature's's bounty haha, skskin and naiails gummiese. the nunumber one b brand to suppoport beautififul hai,

glowing skskin, anand healthy y nails. and try adadvanced, now with t two times m more bi. orordinary tisissues burn n wheo blows. so dad b bought puffffs plus lo, and try adadvanced, and rescscued his nonose. with u up to 50% m more lotin puffs brining soothingng softns and rerelief. a nose in n need deserves p puffs indeeeed. there's a special anniversary tomorrow at the official home of britain's prime minister. meet larry the cat, the chief mouser at number 10 downing street. he was brought in to clean up a problem with other residents. namely rodents. we are told that larry is still in the tactical planning stage. he has made himself comfortable. looks cute too. a new york couple tied the knot this valentine's day weekend atop the empire state

building. the hospital worker jorge ma martinez and his bride won the contest that awarded a announcer: hey, bald guys.

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we end the salvalentine's d how a story can heal broken hearts and bonds can last a lifetime. >> reporter: in 1961, it seemed that contaikaren and danny woul together forever. >> after the football and basketball games she'd wait for

me. >> reporter: but life threw the teenagers a curveball when karen found out she was pregnant, her family took her to a home for unwed mothers. danny was there the day their baby girl was born and they spent an hour with her and she was adopted. >> we had an hour with her and then that was the last of seeing h her. >> they were in love, and had to separate. >> i never stopped thinking of her. >> reporter: for the better part of 53 years they lived in different parts of the country. in 2014, curiosity got the better of danny. he searched for her online, found her and called. they talked nonstop like time had never passed then danny flew out to see karen. >> it was magic. >> it felt like nothing much had changed and including his di dimples when he smiled and his

sparkling eyes. >> reporter: they got married 36 hours later. and settled down but life was not complete. >> he said karen, it took me this long to find you, my life would be complete if we could find our daughter. >> reporter: with the help of lutheran services, they found their daughter and decided to meet. >> when he walked through the door and i looked at him, i was like, oh, my gosh. i have never looked like anybody, never, ever. >> reporter: and now you do. >> now i do. >> reporter: a new life together. thanks to a love that just wouldn't quit. >> the love that we have for each other is second to none. >> that's the s"cbs overnight news" for this the monday. check back with us later for cbs this morning and follow us online any time at cbs news.com. reporting from new york

city -- ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ this is the "cbs overnight news." good evening, much of the country tonight is bracing for a major blast of winter and bone-chilling cold. this weekend seattle saw its most snow in nearly half a century. tonight, at least 160 million people are under winter weather alerts. snow is expected from texas to maine, ice is a big concern in the south and the northeast. the midwest is already in a deep freeze with arctic air expected to descend all the way to the gulf coast. cbs is in oklahoma city tonight,

last check, 6 degrees where you are standing. >> reporter: that's exactly right. you know, here's the deal, it has been snowing all day here in oklahoma city, and even though it says it's 6 degrees, it feels around 15, minus 15 with the wind chill. we can only be outside for 10-15 minutes at a time because our fingers and toes start to tingle, it's a dangerous storm system on all sorts of levels. a massive snow storm leaves 10s of thousands of people without power. strong winds and heavy snow targeting the pacific northwest first. >> it's tough, we have no gas, we are all electric at our house. so heat in the house has been the biggest issue. >> reporter: in washington a massive pile up shut down the westbound lanes of i-90 on saturday for hours. love and happiness on this valentine's day, swept aside by the same storm creeping in to the southeast overnight. officials blaming treacherous road conditions for this big rig

fire in oklahoma city, where roads are covered with snow. kate collins is heading north with 80,000 pounds behind her. >> my biggest concern on the road was inexperienceed drivers going slow on the freeway and swerving because they don't know where the lines are. >> reporter: but many are heeding the warning and staying home, making the most of the winter wonderland. for the first time in texas, all 254 counties are under a winter storm warning. the temperature in dallas, colder than in alaska. >> so right now, we have two major weather systems coming together across the country. a very strong storm track right here. and some of the coldest air on earth, the polar vortex forcing the cold air in to a moist and stormy environment, that means major storm and incredibly dangerous ice across the deep south. >> reporter: in unlikely and potentially messy mash up on a day usually reserved for perfect pairings.

up to 400 record temperatures could come through with this one storm throughout the entire country. lou the middle of the week, right now, the storm is expected to leave the oklahoma area and leave and hit mississippi next. it will combine with wet weather and we could see dangerous icy road conditions. >> oklahoma city, thank you so much. a day after the senate acquitted former president donald trump in a historic second impeachment trial, leaders on both sides are speaking out. so is mr. trump's son, eric, posting this on twitter, 2-0. cbs's skyler henry is at the white house and has more. skyler, good evening. >> reporter: good evening to you, there's a new fissure in the republican party after trump was acquitted again. he is now remaining a potent force now and in to the next political cycle. >> he is here by acquitted of

the charge. >> reporter: the senate voted to acquit former president donald trump. >> i thought i successfully demolished them at the trial. but there's no reasoning with people who are acting like members of of a religious cult and when they leave on office should be selling flowers at dulles airport. >> reporter: 2/3 of the senate was needed to convict. seven republicans voted with the democrats. >> the republican party is nabot more than one person. it's about ideas. >> reporter: others disagree, saying trump is vital for success in the mid terms. >> my goal is on to win to stop the most radical agenda that i have seen. he is ready to hit the trail and i'm ready to work with him. >> reporter: others are cutting ties. in a statement, president biden

said, even those who oppose the conviction like senate minority leader mitch mcconnell, believe donald trump was guilty of a disgraceful dereliction of duty and practicalally and morally responsible for provoking the violence unleashed on the capitol. >> if president trump was still in office, i would have carefully considered if the house managers proved their specific charge. >> reporter: but those words outraged house speaker nancy pelosi. she pointed out it was mcconnell who chose to delay the start of the trial until after january 20th. it was a very disingenuous speech. >> reporter: and mr. trump may have cleared two impeachment trials and he still is in legal jeopardy, including close scrutiny of his business about practices in new york before he became president. >> skyler henry, thank you. the race to vaccinate america is accelerating and hit a new milestone this weekend. 50 million shots with 37 million people receiving their first

dose, 13 million getting the second dose. cbs's joined from los angeles with the latest. good evening. >> reporter: good evening, we are at the forum in l.a., it's one of the few large scale vaccination sites that is actually open today. here in california, the shortage of vaccines have led to closures, to postponed poims and to widespread frustration. long lines today at an l.a. super site. these people are the lucky ones. they are getting a shot, vaccine shortages are forcing five l.a. city sites to shut down temporarily and the ones that are open are mostly for second shots. officials here say they could give 600,000 doses a week if they have the supply. staffing though is not an issue. the military is stepping in to help at a new site. >> our d.o.d. providers are ready to go. they are ready to work. to make sure that we get vaccinations in arms as soon as

possible. only 3.3% of californians have been vaccinated and nationwide, more super sites are up and running but there's growing concern about the covid-19 variants. this doctor with this warning on face the nation. >> now, is the time to not let up our guard. not is the time to double down. >> reporter: still, in atlanta, 10s of thousands of people this weekend crowded in doors for a national cheerleading competition, this, just days after georgia hit a new single day death record. los angeles icu nurse said she has seen too much death after surge and surge. tell me what it's like to leave here and your interactions with your family and community. how do you deal with the difference? >> they don't understand that like, one minute, you know, when a patient is on their bellies and you turn them over and then they code on you. it's, it's a lot. >> reporter: covid cases are dropping in almost 6 million ka

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♪ ♪ this is the "cbs overnight news." thanks for staying with us. there are signs that the nation may have turned the corner in the battle against the coronavirus. new cases in the u.s. have dipped below 100,000 a day. the peak was 300,000 just 5 weeks ago. more than 1.6 million people are being vaccinated each day. some states are even dropping their mask mandates in the cdc has issued guidelines to reopen

schools. still the virus is mutating quickly. we report from london. >> the uk government said that the country is facing the worst recession since the great frost of 1709, back when the american colonies were still british, and benjamin franklin was just three years old. they have been trading at the market for at least 800 years. it's still open. but now, on most days it's close to deserted. >> almost crippling, we have had to be careful and inventive to survive. >> reporter: charlie foster's family has been selling fruits and vegetables in london for four generations, employeeing more than 50 people, but they have had to furlough half of then. are you confident that you can survive another year of this? >> no, not had that long. >> reporter: you would go under, you want go bankrupt? >> if for sure. >> reporter: while the u.s.

economy shrank by 3.5%, the uk economy went down by nearly 9%. this food bank is in a wealthy part of central london. a stone's throw from fashionable boutiques and houses that sell for 10s of millions dollars. many of the people receiving food here used to be middle class. >> i never thought in my wild ef est dreams that i would come here and come to a food bank. i used to give people money on the streets. >> reporter: jane austin was working in up scale venues before the pandemic shift as a chef. now she has to choose between heating the apartment or buying food. >> i feel embarrassed to be quite honest. i felt -- it was one of my lowest points to come and ask for food. >> reporter: and ironically, it's in one of the wealthiest areas of london. >> it's ironic. it's absolutely horrendous. >> it's breath taking.

>> reporter: this is an economist who told us that the british government's slow response to the pandemic along with brex it has created aperfect storm of pain. >> the families are having a hard time feeding their children. and the government is letting people down, sglu thin-- >> reporter: you think that this will bring the government down. >> i think it will be a problem. >> reporter: one prominent member of the uk government called it a political stunt. >> abobillions of people arounde world are marking the lunar new year. the year of the ox, and celebrations will continue for three weeks. in china, people raffle to spend time with family members but with the pandemic, their chapla

have been changed. >> reporter: they know that the government is urging people to stay home this chinese new year. she boarded a high speed train anyways. with her boyfriend, they shot 700 miles south to the east coast. to her waiting father and smiling mother. keeping to tradition, that families reunite and feast during china's biggest holiday of the year. >> they did have concerns about covid. >> if i'm back, well my family has a risk of being effected. >> translator: i was worried and then beijing was doing better with the outbreak. said her mom, people should try their best to come home. >> reporter: many people did, travelers buying tickets as a worker sprayed bleach disinfectant and many the did not. this was china's biggest my

gragz. this is the central railway station, but normallyhous tds of people will rush to get home. but restrictions put in place, some of them harsh. 14 days of mandatory quarantine, once you get home and that is keeping people away. new data shows the the plunge. 74% fewer trips taken than in 2019. the year before covid hitir a and train travel down 80%, and road trips done a third. this is one of the millions staying put. and one of beijing's biggest flower markets she is prepping to be alone for spring festival. as lou nar new year is known here. living at her family's four bedroom home. her parents have been away in their hometown since last april. 500 miles south in another province. how do you feel? >> well, i of course, feel lonely and kind of sad.

but, chinese has a term that -- >> that means the future is long and we will have more time. for people traveling do you have any concern they may be spreading the coronavirus? if they have it? >> it's pretty big risk. but it's there decision. they have the right to the stay or go. no judgment here. >> reporter: i asked her parents if they are sad she is not coming back. her mom laughed and said, no, it's okay, the most important thing is to be safe as the new year of the ox begins. feeling sluggish or weighed down? it could be a sign that your digestive system isn't woworking at i its be. taking m metamucil e everydayn hehelp. memetamucil pspsyllium fibiber o trap andnd remove the wawaste that w weighs you u. itit also helplps lower chcholel and slowow sugar absbsorptin to p promote heaealthy bloodor levels.. so you canan feel lighghter ande energegetic. metamucicil. support t your dailyly digese healalth. tatake the metetamucil twowok challengnge

and feelel lighter a and moe energegetic. sisign up todaday at metamamuci. (ringing) - hey kaleb, what's up? how you doing? - hey, i'm good, guess what, i just had my 13th surgery. - really? i just had my 17th surgery. - well, you beat me. - well, i am a little bit older than you. - yeah it's true. how are you doing? - i'm doing good. i'm encouraged by seeing how people are coming together to help each other during times like these. - kind of like how shriners hospitals for children is there for us. imagine if i couldn't get my surgery. who knows what would have happened. - same for me. i know my shriners hospitals family will continue to take care kids like us who need them most all because of caring people like you. - like me? - no, the people watching us right now at home. - oh, those people. hi people. - kaleb and i know not everyone can help right now,

but for those of you who can, we hope you'll this special number on your screen right now. - you'll be making sure our amazing doctors and nurses can keep helping kids like us, who need them now and in the days to come. - your gift will make a huge difference for kids like us. - ooh, ooh, show them them the thank you gift. - okay, okay, hold on a second. with your gift of $19 a month we'll send you this adorable, love to the rescue blanket as a thank you and a reminder of the kids you're helping with your monthly support. - so what are you waiting for? you can use your phone and call, or go to loveshriners.org to give and join with thousands of other generous people who change lives with their gifts every day. - i think that's about it buddy, good job. - my pleasure captain. please call now. if operators are busy with all the other caring people, please wait patiently, or you can go to loveshriners.org to give right away.

- [alec] big or small, your gift helps us all. - [both] thank you. (giggling) welcome back, millions of americans will be waking up this morning to the scent of roses, hopefully, valentine's day was yesterday and flowers are one of the top gifts for that special person. well, for most people, flowers are a short drive or phone call away. getting the flowers to you in the winter is not a small task. >> reporter: at the warehouse if queens, new york, the clock is ticking and the bouquet creators are movely swiftly. this is the founder of 1-800-flowers. >> roses are the big one? >> 14 million will be rows.

-- 14 million will be roses. >> they anticipate revenue growing 50% this quarter. this will be the biggest valentine's day ever? >> we believe it will be. >> valentitine's day goess witi freshh blossoms and plenty of them.. ththe majorityty come from ecua oror columbiaia, home to nearly of the flowers in the u.s. it took more work to get us to the point where we could make roses in february. >> amy stewart is the author of flower confidential, the book about the global flower industry. >> getting roses in the middle of winter was linked to transportation. it was airplanes to get them from warm climates to cold climates. >> reporter: on thursday, the last of the valentine's day

flowers were flown in. and processed at miami international airport. the stems, throughly inspected at custody many ones. >> about 1.1 billion stems of flowers come through from the beginning of january through february 15th. >> reporter: before continuing on to florists, all planned for one peak day, february 14th. how difficult is it to make sure that the timing is just right? >> we are bringing the flowers in from the farm. we have gas inhibitors in there, so the gas mix is proper for the flowers. there's so much of the science that guess in to it. i thought i was going to get in a flower business running a store and then getting in to this virtual e-commerce business. what we have had to learn about logistics and distribution of perishable products is fascinating. >> reporter: the family started

with a single flower shop in new york 45 years ago before centering their brand around 1-800-flowers. >> then, another game changer. so we started to dabble in e-commerce back in 1991. with a platform, i don't know if anybody still remembers compu-serve, we were the first to sell any product of any kind on aol, taking it through that, we rode the wave of e commerce. their flowers come from partner farms and a network of florists nationwide. they have 15 brands of gifts. including the popcorn david and harry and david, delivering to 160 countries. it has not always been a bed of roses. customer complaints about delayed deliveries and bouquets far from what their pictures promised have made the rounds on

social media. things that did not show up like they were advertised, what went wrong? >> when you are dealing with a perishable product. sometimes you have challenges. weather can pose a challenge. extreme heat and cold can be a challenge. the key is how we respond. and when you look how customers are reaching us these days it's through social media. we respond to the messages on social media within 3-5 minute on average. >> reporter: mccann points to the customer service as their competitive edge. they e enterprise e new concepe like rososes thahat lasast a a . and partnerships with celebrities. like fashion designer jason wu. constant innovation, is and a long tradition. >> where does the idea of gifting flower for valentine's day come from? >> because valentine's day is in february, it's not the easiest time to give somebody flowers so originally, originally we sent paper or cards. you know, it was not until greenhouse technology came along and made it possible to make

flowers bloom in february, that, that migrated over in to valentine's day, and that was kind of the 1920s. >> reporter: stewart said the idea of existing bouquets dates back to the ancient romans and the victorians in particular, embraced the language of fires, using specific blooms to convey careful messages they could not otherwise say allowed. some of the notes are in door today. >> it's embedded in our cultural awareness. there's not a culture anywhere in the world that doesn't view flowers as the kind of romantic way of expressing a sentimeant. >> and the feelings of affection are heightened this valentine's day, as we hold the people we love closer than ever. at least in our hearts. if not always in person. >> how do you think this valentine's day will stack up for 1-800-flowers? >> in the history books, it will

be a very different one and it's one of the most important valentine's days of our career. >> a day that is the culmination of an incredible year long effort, encompassing the work of

. a lot of people spent valentine's day, enjoying chocolates with their significant other, one couple spent the day peering through binoculars in the name of love. >> the couple are in one of the shortest long distance relationships in north america. >> we could literally wave at one another. >> reporter: wave at her and she'd see me. >> they have been dating a couple of years. they used to see each other all the time. when covid closed all land border crossings to nonessential travel, this mile-of wide

waterway became an ocean. >> so, what does the it take for you to see him? >> here we go. >> right. so, i get in my car. drive 4.5 hours to the airport? toronto. got on an airplane, flew literally back to where i had started, to surprise him at work. that is how much i love him. >> reporter: they have gotten together a few other times but flights are expensive. so mostity of their visits are decidedly less intimate. >> scott, i'm getting my binoculars out as we speak. >> reporter: this week, they came to the river at our request to show how close and yet so far they are. >> i see you. >> my eyes are watery. >>. >> reporter: there's other fish in the river. >> you are the 451st that asked

that, and he is my person. >> stranded on separate shores waiting for land crossings to open. i share their story tonight, in hopes that their curse illuminates your blessing, to be stuck at home with the one you love on valentine's day, sounds perfect to them and carolyn said well worth waiting for. >> we had a trip planned last march, where scott was going to ask me an important question. >> reporter: what is your favorite color? >> exactly. so i'm looking forward to us traveling and he can ask me in a romantic manner what my favorite color will be. >> and what will the answer be? >> yes and red. >> can youou blow me a kiss? >> cbs news, on the road. >> i'm waiting for your kiss to make it through immigration right now. >> that's the "cbs overnight news" for monday. for some of you the news continues for others check back

later for cbs this morning and follow us online at any time at cbs news.com. reporting from new york city. it's monday, february 15th, 2021. this is the "cbs morning news." bone-chilling cold. a winter storm is sending parts of the u.s. into a deep freeze. the biggest concerns as arctic air extends all the way to the gulf coast. acquittal fallout. the senate does not convict former president trump for inciting the deadly capitol riot. congress' next move now that the impeachment trial is over. not out of the woods. the cdc issues a warning about covid after two states make controversial moves.