A widespread winter storm is expected to sweep across large parts of the United States from Friday through the weekend, bringing heavy snow, sleet, freezing rain and dangerously low temperatures to millions of people from Central Texas to the Northeast.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the storm system will begin affecting the Southern Plains on Friday before moving eastward across the Mid-South and the East Coast over the following days. Forecasters have warned that the system could lead to treacherous travel conditions, prolonged power outages and damage to trees and infrastructure, particularly across the southeastern US.
A graphic issued by the NWS shows a high probability of at least moderate snow and ice impacts across a wide swathe of the country through Monday.
Snow, ice and extreme cold
Meteorologists say the storm will be fuelled by a collision between a blast of Arctic air moving south from Canada and warmer, moisture-laden air pushing northward from the Gulf of Mexico. This combination is expected to produce significant accumulations of snow and ice across regions unaccustomed to severe winter weather.
Wind chill values could plunge below minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of the Northern Plains, including North Dakota and Minnesota. In contrast, states stretching from Texas to North Carolina may experience wind chills below zero, the NWS said.
While forecasters are confident that the storm will be “impactful and prolonged”, they cautioned that the precise location and intensity of snowfall and ice accumulation could still shift over the coming days.
Winter storm watches have already been issued across large areas of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Kentucky, Missouri, Louisiana, Tennessee, North Carolina, West Virginia and Virginia.
Jason Furtado, an associate professor of meteorology at the University of Oklahoma, described the system as one of the most significant winter storms the country has seen in recent years.
“We’re going to see snow and ice dipping way down into the South,” Furtado said. “That includes parts of Oklahoma, Texas and the Southeast, even into areas of Georgia.”
ALSO READ | President Trump expresses optimism over India-US trade deal at WEF, hails PM Modi as 'fantastic' man
Texas recalls 2021 blackout as officials prepare
In Texas, memories of the devastating 2021 winter storm — which left millions without power and was linked to at least 246 deaths — remain fresh. Governor Greg Abbott said the state had activated emergency response resources in anticipation of the approaching weather system.
“Based on current forecasts, the State of Texas is acting to ensure Texans have the resources they need before severe winter weather impacts communities across Texas,” Abbott said in a statement, urging residents to prepare for snow, ice and freezing rain.
Allison Prater, a meteorologist with the NWS in Fort Worth, said temperatures this time are not expected to fall as low or remain cold for as long as they did in 2021. Still, she warned that conditions would be dangerous.
“We want people to have their preparations in place by Friday because conditions and hazards are going to get worse throughout the weekend,” Prater said.
Energy experts have also flagged potential risks to the power grid. Ed Hirs, an energy specialist at the University of Houston, said extreme cold could still affect power generation, including freezing wind turbines, despite improvements made since 2021.
“Because of the state’s vast size, a problem in one area can cascade into others,” Hirs said.
ALSO READ | Greenland rolls out emergency plan after Trump pushes for talks on control
States across the South brace for impact
Several other states have begun emergency preparations. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said crews were already treating roads and positioning response teams.
“Hopefully we’ll get snow and not ice,” Kemp said, urging residents to secure food, fuel, vehicles and prepare for possible power outages.
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein declared a state of emergency on Wednesday and advised residents to prepare, particularly for power disruptions. In Tennessee, forecasters warned that ice accumulation posed a major risk.
“That brings the possibility of power outages, downed trees and extremely hazardous travel,” said Charles Dalton, a meteorologist with the NWS office in Morristown. He added that impacts could persist for days after the storm passes, as bitter cold follows in its wake.
