Major Storm Set to Impact Southern Region, Forecasters Warn
A major winter storm is poised to affect the southern and eastern United States this week, bringing severe weather conditions. Forecasters are preparing for a mix of heavy snow, sleet, freezing rain, and ice. However, uncertainties remain regarding the storm’s exact path and intensity.
Storm Timeline and Temperature Drops
The storm system is expected to unleash its most severe weather on Thursday, fueled by an influx of arctic air. Predictions indicate that temperatures could drop as much as 30 degrees below average across much of the central and eastern U.S.
The Upper Midwest is likely to experience the most extreme cold, with wind chills potentially reaching as low as minus 50 degrees. This frigid air is expected to set the stage for the impending winter storm.
Forecast Details
Bob Oravec, a meteorologist with the Weather Prediction Center, noted that the primary conditions for a significant winter storm will align by Friday. The storm will draw moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, leading to a combination of snow and ice stretching from the Southern Plains to the Mid-Atlantic.
Regions Under Threat
- Southern Rockies
- South-Central Plains
- Mid-Atlantic
- Memphis, TN
- Atlanta, GA
- Raleigh, NC
- Dallas, TX
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Little Rock, AR
- Richmond, VA
- Washington, D.C.
- Baltimore, MD
- Philadelphia, PA
- New York, NY
- Boston, MA
Impacts and Concerns
Forecasters express high confidence that this winter storm will disrupt travel due to snow-covered roads and low visibility. Regions less accustomed to winter weather may face hazardous conditions, including power outages.
Uncertainties Ahead
Key uncertainties regarding the storm include:
- The magnitude of snow, ice, and freezing rain in each location.
- The precise development and track of the storm, which will determine the snow-ice boundary.
- The northern and southern extent of the heaviest snowfall.
This storm follows closely behind another winter system that delivered snow to parts of the Southeast, including areas of Florida and Georgia, but this new storm is not expected to progress as far south.
As the storm nears the weekend, residents from the Mid-Atlantic to Northeast should prepare for potentially impactful winter weather.
