Southern California is still facing devastating wildfires while a massive winter storm is expected to bring heavy snow and ice to around 50 million people in the U.S. South. The storm is projected to move through parts of Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas from Friday to Saturday, with snow accumulations of 6 to 10 feet expected in eastern Oklahoma through the southern Appalachians. Snow will transition to sleet and freezing rain in parts of the Southeast, northeast Texas, and southern Arkansas, creating dangerous travel conditions with icy accumulations of up to a quarter inch. Power outages and fallen branches are also concerns.
As of Thursday, at least 50 million people were under a winter storm warning as the system moves along the Gulf Coast on Friday. The storm is anticipated to weaken by Saturday, leaving lighter snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches in parts of the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Ohio Valley before moving off the Carolinas. The National Weather Service in Atlanta has issued warnings about freezing rain potentially causing damage along and north of the Interstate 20 corridor through Friday.
This winter storm follows a significant weather event that brought severe winter conditions to regions including northeastern Kansas and north-central Missouri, resulting in up to 15 inches of snowfall.
In addition to the storm, wildfires in California near Los Angeles remain a concern. A national snowfall tracker map is available to monitor potential snow accumulations of more than 4 inches in various areas. Weather forecasts for Atlanta, Georgia, show a reduced snowfall forecast due to higher confidence in a transition to a wintry mix or freezing rain on Friday. Far north Georgia is still expected to receive the most snow, with 2-3 inches forecast and locally higher amounts up to 4-5 inches.
Nashville, Tennessee, is expected to experience snow moving in on Friday morning, with the heaviest snowfall anticipated during late morning and afternoon hours. Nashville and surrounding areas could see 4-6 inches of snow, with areas west of Nashville potentially receiving 6-8 inches. Travel impacts are anticipated in Middle Tennessee on Friday and into Saturday, with the possibility of continuing into Sunday due to cold temperatures.
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The Charlotte area is expecting a mix of winter weather on Friday morning, including snow, sleet, and ice. The NWS forecasts the wintry conditions to last through Friday evening, with the highest accumulations of snow and sleet in the southern and northern North Carolina mountains. Charlotte is expected to receive 1-2 inches of snow, while areas in northwestern and northern North Carolina could see 3-6 inches.
In Central Alabama, widespread precipitation is expected until noon on Friday, with a wintry mix in the northern part changing to rain by the afternoon. Winter weather impacts are likely throughout the evening, with hazardous driving conditions anticipated in the northern half of Central Alabama.
Eastern Oklahoma and Northwest Arkansas are expected to see 3-12 inches of snow, with Tulsa expecting 3-8 inches. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect until noon for Tulsa and surrounding areas, with dangerous travel conditions expected.
Northern, western, and central Arkansas have already received 6-8 inches of snow as of Friday morning, with additional accumulation expected. A large portion of the state is projected to see impactful snowfall, with some areas potentially receiving up to 12 inches.
In North and Central Texas, a Winter Storm Advisory is in effect until noon on Friday, with light snow or freezing drizzle causing minor ice accumulations on elevated surfaces. Road conditions are expected to improve later in the morning, except along the Red River where conditions may not improve until early to mid-afternoon. Any water on the roads is likely to refreeze overnight into Saturday morning, creating hazardous conditions.
“Challenging conditions persist for North Texas,” the National Weather Service (NWS) reported on Friday morning. At 10:18 pm, freezing drizzle expected late tonight will further contribute to hazardous road conditions caused by snow and sleet. Individuals are advised to exercise caution and reduce speed if travel is necessary. #dfwwx #ctxwx pic.twitter.com/WEl92rdKL8— NWS Fort Worth (@NWSFortWorth) January 10, 2025
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This article was first published in USA TODAY: Winter storm threatens South with snow, ice: Track weather.
