A Potentially Historic Winter Storm Sets Its Sights on the United States, From Texas to the Northeast
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A sprawling storm takes shape
A vast winter storm is taking form across the central United States. It begins Friday and refuses to hurry. By Monday, its reach is expected to stretch roughly 1,500 miles, from Texas, United States to New England, United States.This storm is being fueled by a deep pool of moisture colliding with brutal Arctic air, a combination that meteorologists watch closely.
More than 120 million people across two dozen states are already under winter storm alerts. That number is expected to rise.
The track shifts, the risks grow
Over the past several days, the storm track has nudged north. The change matters.More of the Midwest and Northeast now fall under the threat of heavy snow, while destructive ice remains locked in across much of the South. Even small adjustments in the storm path could mean major differences on the ground.
“Even small shifts could lead to large changes in local impacts," the Weather Prediction Center warned.
The clash begins Friday in the Plains. Cold air presses south. Moisture surges north. Through the weekend, the storm expands east and northeast, covering more than two dozen states.
By late Monday, the system finally pulls away from New England, leaving behind snowdrifts, ice-coated trees, and lingering travel disruptions.
Ice poses the most dangerous threat
Ice builds weight by weight. Branch by branch. Line by line.Even modest ice accumulation can bring down trees and power lines. Forecast scenarios suggest widespread power outages, some potentially long lasting.
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Potentially Historic Winter Storm to Bring Destructive Ice and Heavy Snow From Texas to the NortheastAreas at greatest risk include:
- Northern and eastern Texas
- The lower Mississippi and Tennessee valleys
- Northern Georgia
- Parts of the Carolinas and Virginia
Travel may grind to a halt even where ice totals remain modest. Roads glaze quickly. Crews struggle to keep pace.
Heavy snow spreads north and east
North of the ice zone, snow becomes the dominant story.A broad swath from Oklahoma and Kansas through the Ohio Valley, the Mid-Atlantic, and into the Northeast is expected to see 6 to 12 inches of snow, with isolated totals exceeding a foot.
Cities in the core snow zone include Oklahoma City, OK, Tulsa, OK, Louisville, KY, Washington, WA, and New York, NY.
In some locations, snow may fall at rates exceeding one inch per hour.
New York City and Philadelphia, PA could record their first snowfall of six inches or more in nearly four years.
Along the southern edge of the snow band, sleet and freezing rain may mix in. The result is uncertainty. Totals become harder to pin down. Impacts remain significant.
States prepare as impacts mount
Governors across the storm path are moving early.States of emergency are in effect in North Carolina, SC, Georgia, AR, and Virginia. The declarations allow crews, equipment, and resources to be positioned ahead of the storm.
“I encourage all North Carolinians to stay home and off the roads this weekend unless absolutely necessary," said North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, warning that all state roads could be affected.
Transportation crews in North Carolina, AR, and Texas are already treating roads and bridges. Officials caution that conditions may not improve quickly.
In Georgia, the state of emergency extends seven days. Governor Brian Kemp authorized 500 National Guard members to stand by.
“Take this time to secure food, fill up on gas and ensure you are prepared for any potential loss of power," Kemp urged.
In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott activated emergency response resources days in advance. Agencies are monitoring roads, power systems, and natural gas infrastructure.
Arctic cold intensifies the danger
The storm feeds on cold. And there is plenty of it.An Arctic air mass pushes into the Midwest and Plains Thursday into Friday, then spreads south and east over the weekend. Temperatures may plunge 20 to 40 degrees below average in some regions.
Parts of the Midwest and Plains could run more than 30 degrees below normal by Friday. Wind chills will make conditions feel even harsher.
In Dallas-Fort Worth, TX, record low temperatures are possible Sunday and Monday, with readings potentially dropping into the single digits.
In Shreveport, Los Angeles, lows could fall into the teens early next week.
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