Time To Stock Up: Massive Winter Storm To Hit The US
Over 175 million Americans are in the path of a massive winter storm that is set to hit more than 30 states this weekend, with snow and ice potentially causing long power outages and travel delays. Some communities affected by the storm could see temps as low as 20℉.
The system is expected to reach Texas sometime on Friday, and then make its way through the Deep South and the Tennessee Valley before eventually reaching the mid-Atlantic Coast.
On Sunday into Monday, heavy snow is possible in parts of the Ohio Valley and Northeast. The forecast shows more than 12 inches of snow across NY, NJ, PA and New England.
People living in Dallas, Texas; Shreveport, Louisiana; Atlanta, Georgia; and Charlotte, North Carolina, should “prepare like a hurricane is coming," WSVN meteorologist Dylan Federico posted on X.
Forecasts show widespread ice accumulations of 1 to 2+ inches in the area. For context, just a half inch is considered catastrophic. That amount of ice can add hundreds of pounds to trees and power lines, and unlike snow, it can’t be plowed away — potentially leaving even emergency vehicles unable to move safely.
TIME TO PREPARE
The National Weather Service recommends keeping enough non-perishable food, water, and medication for at least three days, while also ensuring you have warm clothing, blankets, and an updated first aid kit. The organization also recommends charging your phone in advance (in case of power outages) and setting up alerts for the storm.
People in affected regions should trim tree limbs close to their properties and avoid traveling north, Federico recommends.
The storm is a result of a few different systems coming together. An Arctic High above the Great Lakes region will bring cold air to much of the South. Meanwhile, a storm system beginning in the Southwest will head east, while moisture lifts north to the region. These phenomena converging will cause both cold temperatures and heavy precipitation in much of the South.