A significant winter storm is on the horizon for the central and eastern United States, with the potential to bring snow and ice to areas further south than the recent winter storm. Cities such as Dallas, Nashville, and Atlanta are at risk, before the storm could move towards the Northeast, according to meteorologists at AccuWeather.
The upcoming winter storm is expected to form over Texas from Tuesday night to Thursday, resulting in snow, sleet, freezing rain, and rain in various areas. The storm’s development, track, and intensity will determine the extent of snow and ice from the I-20 and I-40 corridors in Texas and Oklahoma to states like Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia from late this week into the weekend.
Some snow is also anticipated further north, west of the Appalachians, extending to the I-70 corridor in the mid-Mississippi and Ohio Valley states. This northern region has already been impacted by heavy snow and ice, causing power outages for many homes and businesses. However, the most disruptive part of the upcoming winter storm is expected in the Central states to the south.
The impending storm could bring more snow to Dallas in a few hours than it typically receives in a year, with forecasts suggesting two to three times the average annual snowfall. If Dallas were to receive 6 inches of snow, it would rank among the top snowfalls on record, according to AccuWeather experts.
The storm is projected to be the most significant snow event for Dallas since February 2010, potentially delivering 3-6 inches of snow. Even a lesser amount of snow and ice could lead to dangerous conditions due to plummeting temperatures, creating a freeze-up.
Further east along the I-20 to I-40 corridors, conditions are expected to be similar to northern Texas and Oklahoma, with snow likely along I-40 and an icy mix along I-20. Nashville and other parts of Tennessee will face challenging road conditions due to snow accumulation from Friday to Saturday. Atlanta may experience a comparable situation, with more snow north of the city and a mix of ice and rain to the south.
The risk of a significant ice storm with widespread power outages is growing for northeastern Texas, northern Louisiana, and southern Arkansas. Motorists along various interstates should be cautious as dangerous conditions are expected to spread eastward from Friday to Saturday, potentially leading to road closures and multiple vehicle accidents.
With different scenarios possible as the storm moves past the Appalachians early this weekend, preparations should be made for potentially severe winter weather conditions in the affected areas.
Continuing on nearly a straight path to the east with little (or no) snow reaching the central Appalachians and upper mid-Atlantic, a storm is expected to strengthen and turn northward, bringing an extensive zone of major snow and ice through the mid-Atlantic and into southeastern New England from Saturday to early Sunday,” explained AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok.
There is also the possibility of a track and intensity falling somewhere in between both scenarios, where some accumulating snow may reach northward through much of the mid-Atlantic and skim southeastern New England this weekend. The amount of snow, if significant, from Washington, D.C., to Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston will largely depend on the storm track as it approaches the coast.
Travel disruptions are expected to be substantial as the storm progresses from Texas and moves eastward towards the southern and mid-Atlantic coasts, as well as northward to portions of the Midwest and the central Appalachians into the weekend. Major travel problems are anticipated on highways, with a surge in airline delays and flight cancellations likely.
Cold rain is foreseen along the I-10 corridor from Houston to New Orleans, Mobile, Alabama, and Tallahassee and Jacksonville, Florida. Should the storm veer further south in its track, the potential exists for some icy or wintry mix to briefly affect the northern fringes of these cities as colder air sweeps in on the backside.
Following the storm’s passage, Arctic air is predicted to move southward. Newly fallen snow cover over parts of the interior south will create a cold surface that may help drive lower temperatures farther south than if the ground was bare. Consequently, damaging freezes could penetrate into portions of South Texas, the central Gulf coast, and the Florida Peninsula this weekend through early next week.
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