The south-central and southeastern United States will be hit by a significant winter storm in 2025, causing hazardous conditions on roads and leading to flight delays and cancellations from Dallas to Atlanta and Charlotte, according to AccuWeather meteorologists.
The storm is expected to bring 1-6 inches of snow from central Texas through much of Tennessee and the southern Appalachians until Friday. Some areas within this region, including just north of Dallas, Little Rock in Arkansas, eastern Tennessee, and western North Carolina mountains, could see higher snowfall amounts of 6-12 inches.
AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno mentioned that the Dallas metro area might experience a mix of sleet and freezing rain at the start of the storm, limiting early snowfall. However, heavier snow is anticipated during the latter part of the storm, with 3-6 inches expected. Areas without the mix of sleet and freezing rain will likely receive higher snow accumulations.
A wide area of sleet is expected from northeastern Texas through northern Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina, southern Arkansas, and central Texas until Friday. Although freezing rain amounts along the Interstate-20 corridor are forecasted to be low, they could still pose risks for drivers and pedestrians.
This winter storm will significantly impact Tennessee, extending west along the I-40 corridor to central and northern Arkansas and central and eastern Oklahoma. On Friday, Nashville and Knoxville, Tennessee, are expected to be enveloped by the snowstorm. Some sleet may reduce accumulation in Memphis and Chattanooga, but it will still be a disruptive storm for these cities.
Further north, 1 to 3 inches of snow is forecasted for Chicago and Detroit on Friday, leading to slippery conditions on roads and potential flight delays due to deicing operations.
To the south of Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Tennessee, light snow will extend over the Central states, causing slippery conditions in areas recently affected by a snow and ice storm. Pockets of sleet and freezing rain are expected north of I-10 to near and south of I-20, posing risks for motorists.
As the storm strengthens, it will draw moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in heavy downpours and thunderstorms along the I-10 corridor from Texas to northern Florida. These downpours could lead to urban flooding in cities like Houston, New Orleans, Mobile, and Pensacola.
In the southern Appalachians, the storm will bring heavy snow and ice, adding to the challenges faced by those still recovering from Hurricane Helene’s devastating flooding in September.
Motorists in Atlanta, Charlotte, and Greenville, South Carolina, should prepare for dangerous driving conditions due to the winter storm. Snowfall is expected in these areas during the initial stages of the storm.
During the overnight hours from late Thursday into Friday morning, a significant storm system is expected to bring hours of freezing rain and some sleet to the region, potentially causing a glaze to form on exposed surfaces. Particularly at risk for slippery conditions are bridges, overpasses, elevated surfaces, and areas lacking direct sunlight. As a result, drivers should exercise caution, as these surfaces may be hazardous. Additionally, sporadic power outages are likely to occur as a result of the storm.
As the storm progresses, it is anticipated to transition to plain rain and drizzle by Friday night; however, some locations may see a brief period of wet snow before the system moves out of the area. North of Charlotte, colder air is predicted to persist, leading to the development of a general and persistent zone of snow and ice over North Carolina and southern Virginia. This is expected to result in widespread slippery and dangerous travel conditions from Friday into Saturday.
In the Carolina Piedmont region, the accumulation of freezing rain on trees and power lines poses an increased risk of power outages. Residents should remain cautious and prepared for potential disruptions in power supply. Furthermore, the storm system is forecasted to bring accumulating snow to areas farther north, including the mid-Atlantic, central Appalachians, and parts of New England over the weekend.
For those seeking an enhanced level of safety and uninterrupted access to weather alerts, subscribing to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app unlocks advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts. These alerts are issued by expert meteorologists who continuously monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks around the clock to help keep you and your loved ones safe. Stay informed and stay safe with AccuWeather Alerts™.
