Millions of Americans in over 30 States to Get Blasted by Potentially Historic, Catastrophic Winter Storm

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A massive winter storm with the potential to become historic is expected to develop later this week and continue into the weekend, stretching across more than 2,000 miles.

The system could produce record-breaking snowfall and hazardous ice accumulations from the Southern Plains all the way to the Mid-Atlantic region. More than 30 states across the southern and eastern United States stand to be affected by this powerful winter event. In the areas directly in its path, heavy snow could pile up to a foot, while millions of people may face severe ice that threatens to create treacherous travel conditions and trigger widespread power outages.

An upper-level weather disturbance is projected to emerge from the West and either interact with, or blend into, a significant dip in the jet stream that is currently delivering Arctic air. This combination is supplying the critical elements needed for a substantial winter storm — one that has been relatively scarce so far this season. (RELATED: The Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore Warns Of ‘Unending Arctic Cold’ Ahead Of Gargantuan Winter Storm)

While the disturbance progresses eastward, it will pull substantial moisture northward from the Gulf of America. That moisture will then be forced to interact with the entrenched cold air mass already in place.

Although the precise location where the storm’s heaviest impacts will concentrate is still uncertain, the FOX Forecast Center is closely tracking the potential for significant effects stretching from the Southern Plains through the Southeast.

Over the weekend, major airports and interstate highways in the impacted zones could experience severe disruptions, as prolonged periods of ice and snow threaten to paralyze key transportation corridors and infrastructure.

Snow To Pound Several Major Metropolitan Areas And Cover Broad Sections Of The United States

The winter storm is forecast to begin forming Friday over the Southern Plains, potentially producing record-breaking snowfall totals as it tracks more than 2,000 miles eastward across the southern tier of the contiguous United States.

Although forecast models show some disagreement and multiple possible scenarios remain for where the heaviest snow will fall, both the American GFS and European forecast models are aligned in projecting that this expansive system will bring significant winter weather to millions of people across a vast region stretching from Nevada all the way to New York.

A broad swath of heavy snow is expected to persist through the weekend, covering a large corridor that includes Oklahoma, extends through the southern Ohio Valley, and may reach into portions of the Mid-Atlantic.

Millions Of Americans Bracing For Dangerous Ice Storm

More than 15 states, spanning a vast corridor from Nevada in the west all the way to the East Coast, face the potential for significant icing between Friday and Monday.

Present weather patterns are aligning into a textbook scenario for a dangerous ice storm. The primary zone at risk for heavy ice accumulations through the weekend stretches from Central Texas northward into Tennessee and eastward across the Carolinas.

With hazardous ice levels threatening millions across the region, the dangers extend far beyond the risk of slipping while stepping outside.

Forecasts indicate that up to half an inch of ice could coat portions of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Such levels would likely lead to widespread power outages, downed trees and branches, and extremely hazardous travel conditions on roads and highways.

Winter Storm Warnings Issued As Widespread Power Outages Loom

Winter Weather Alerts have already been issued for parts of Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, covering Friday night into Saturday ahead of the system. The potential of significant snow and ice accumulations are present in these zones, with Winter Weather Watches in place to highlight the developing risk.

As the weekend draws nearer and forecast details continue to sharpen, communities throughout the South — regions that seldom contend with intense winter storms — are actively gearing up and making necessary preparations.

In Texas, state emergency response resources have been mobilized. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott announced the activation, explaining that the move is intended to guarantee residents have access to the support and supplies required before severe winter conditions set in.

Compounding the overall danger, widespread power outages are a serious concern across an extensive area stretching from Texas to the East Coast.

Southern Plains

The potentially historic storm is expected to develop quickly beginning Friday across the Southern Plains, bringing the threat of record-breaking snowfall totals and hazardous ice accumulations.

Winter Storm Watches are already in effect for portions of Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana — including key metropolitan areas such as Dallas, Oklahoma City and Little Rock — and will stay active from Friday into Saturday, coinciding with the storm’s projected peak impact over the Southern Plains.

As the system tracks farther into the Southeast, challenges are likely to persist. A prolonged deep freeze will halt existing snow and ice from melting, extending the duration of dangerous winter conditions across impacted regions.

Current computer forecast models indicate that the heaviest snowfall will concentrate north of Interstate 20. A critical corridor to watch is Interstate 35 between Oklahoma City and Dallas, where accumulations exceeding one foot are possible, with snow potentially beginning as early as Friday morning and continuing through Sunday.

This significant winter storm has the possibility of ranking among the most memorable in Oklahoma City’s history, possibly climbing into the top five biggest snowstorms ever recorded in the city.

Southeast

As the expansive winter storm shifts eastward into Saturday, an exceptionally strong high-pressure system will become anchored over the north of the Northern Plains and Midwest. This clockwise-rotating high will channel a surge of Arctic air directly southward through the Southeast.

Severe, disruptive ice accumulations are projected to develop throughout Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, beginning Saturday afternoon.

Per the FOX Forecast Center, portions of Tennessee, Arkansas, and North Carolina will have the strongest potential for significant snowfall.

The greatest snow chances from Friday into Monday are anticipated along a corridor stretching from Nashville into western North Carolina — including cities such as Winston-Salem — where more than a foot of snow is considered likely due to a colder air mass favoring a primarily snow event in those zones.

With the Arctic air intrusion already in progress and delivering Alaska-level cold to parts of the Lower 48, both snow and ice are expected to remain for an extended period across the impacted areas of the Southeast.

Mid-Atlantic

Although uncertainties persist regarding the storm’s precise path and overall strength, parts of the Mid-Atlantic are at serious risk of experiencing the intense cold and heavy impacts of this potentially record-setting winter storm.

The highest likelihood of major snowfall in the Mid-Atlantic centers on Virginia and Maryland, where the region could see its most substantial snow event in several years, likely developing late in the weekend.

Throughout much of the Mid-Atlantic, the Arctic air mass will lean towards predominantly snow over other precipitation types. Fortunately for people in these areas, they are expected to largely avoid the severe icing that is forecast to create hazardous conditions farther south.

At present, the strongest potential for heavy, accumulating snow appears to stretch from central Virginia northward through Maryland and into southern New Jersey.

One of the primary remaining uncertainties involves how far north the precipitation shield will extend — from Philadelphia through New York City — into Sunday afternoon. Should the storm track farther north, snowfall could reach additional locations along the Interstate 95 corridor, with accumulations increasing Sunday and continuing well through Monday afternoon. (RELATED: Southern Cities On Alert As Possibility Of Powerful Winter Storm Could Set Up Blast Of Ice, Snow)

Several key uncertainties remain regarding how this weather system will develop and track as it progresses eastward.

Will the storm stay south enough to spare the East Coast from significant impacts?

Will it shift north, allowing precipitation to spread through the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions?

Or might the system organize and strengthen into a more substantial coastal storm next week?

Forecasters are asking these critical questions and watching closely as additional model data arrives, and the forecast picture sharpens over the coming days.

The Daily Caller will continue to track this potentially historic winter storm as it progresses.

[H/T The Daily Caller]



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