Major Winter Storm Threatens Southern U.S. with Catastrophic Ice Accumulation
As many Americans continue to recover from recent snowstorms and freezing temperatures in northern regions, forecasters are warning of a potentially catastrophic new weather system set to impact the Southern United States this weekend. The approaching storm could coat roads, trees, and power lines with dangerous ice accumulations across a wide expanse from Texas to the Carolinas.
"Widespread Potentially Catastrophic Event" Forecast
Ryan Maue, former chief scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, described the developing situation as a "widespread potentially catastrophic event from Texas to the Carolinas." He expressed concern about how communities would manage the impacts, stating, "I don't know how people are going to deal with it."
Forecasters issued warnings on Tuesday about the potential for ice to weigh down trees and power lines, which could trigger widespread electrical outages across affected regions. Keith Avery, CEO of the Newberry Electric Cooperative in South Carolina, emphasized the severity of the threat, noting that "If you get a half of an inch of ice — or heaven forbid an inch of ice — that could be catastrophic."
National Weather Service Warns of Treacherous Conditions
The National Weather Service has warned of "great swaths of heavy snow, sleet, and treacherous freezing rain" beginning Friday across much of the nation's midsection before shifting toward the East Coast through Sunday. Temperatures are expected to remain low in many areas, meaning ice that forms on roads and sidewalks could persist for an extended period.
Bryan Jackson, a National Weather Service meteorologist, explained that an extremely cold arctic air mass is set to dive south from Canada, creating a clash with rain streaming eastward across the southern U.S. "This is extreme, even for this being the peak of winter," Jackson said of the cold temperatures. He predicted the interaction would likely result in "a major winter storm with very impactful weather."
Atmospheric River Could Intensify Precipitation
Forecasters indicate that an atmospheric river of moisture could establish itself by the weekend, pulling precipitation across Texas and other Gulf Coast states before continuing across Georgia and the Carolinas. The National Weather Service's Atlanta office expressed particular concern, noting that "global models are painting a concerning picture of what this weekend could look like, with an increasingly strong signal for ice storm potential across North Georgia and portions of central Georgia."
If significant ice accumulations strike metro Atlanta, problems could persist through the weekend since low temperatures early Monday are expected to be around 22 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 5.6 Celsius), with highs only reaching approximately 35 degrees (1.7 Celsius).
Travel Disruptions Expected Across Multiple Sectors
Travel represents a major concern as southern states typically have less equipment available to remove snow and ice from roadways. The extremely cold temperatures expected after the storm could prevent ice from melting for several days, exacerbating transportation challenges. The storm is also expected to impact many of the nation's major hub airports, including those in:
- Dallas, Texas
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Memphis, Tennessee
- Charlotte, North Carolina
Jackson noted that while unusually cold temperatures are already affecting much of the northern tier of the U.S., the blast of arctic air expected later this week "will be the coldest yet." He explained that "a large sprawling vortex of low pressure centered over Hudson Bay" is dominating weather patterns across North America.
Texas Could Experience Early Impacts
Some of the storm's earliest effects could manifest in Texas on Friday as the arctic air mass slides south through much of the state. National Weather Service forecaster Sam Shamburger explained in a briefing that "at the same time, we're expecting rain to move into much of the state." Low temperatures could fall into the 20s or even teens in parts of Texas by Saturday, with potential for a wintry mix in northern regions.
Forecasters cautioned that significant uncertainty remains about precipitation types and amounts across north and central Texas. Shamburger acknowledged the forecasting challenges, stating, "It's going to be a very difficult forecast."
Residents Prepare for Impending Weather
In Little Rock, Arkansas, residents were already preparing for the storm on Tuesday. James Carter, director of operations at Fuller and Son Hardware, reported a steady stream of customers stocking up on supplies. "Right now parents of young children are getting sleds," Carter observed. People were also purchasing shovels, ice-melting products, and covers for outside faucets to prevent freezing, as low temperatures in the Little Rock area are forecast to fall into the teens.
The approaching weather system represents a significant threat to infrastructure, transportation, and daily life across a broad region of the Southern United States. Residents are advised to monitor forecasts closely and prepare for potentially hazardous conditions throughout the weekend.
