A significant winter storm, spanning over 3,000 miles across the U.S., is set to impact more than 235 million people in 40 states from Friday to Monday.
The FOX Prediction Center will be keeping an eye on this storm, which is projected to deliver a mix of snow and freezing rain.
Winter storm warnings have been issued from Albuquerque to Boston, with alerts in place from Arizona to Maine for this formidable winter event.
Here’s what to expect in terms of timing, affected areas, and the anticipated impact.
Friday
Cities affected: Midland, Oklahoma City, Dallas, Wichita, Little Rock, Shreveport
Interstates affected: I-40, I-20, I-10, I-35
Affected airports: OKC, DFW, IAH, SHV, LIT, HOU
The initial effects of this historic winter storm are expected to manifest in the Southern and Central Plains, with significant snowfall and ice beginning Friday and continuing into the weekend. This marks the first stage of the storm’s lengthy journey eastward.
Residents in regions not accustomed to such severe winter weather are already heading to grocery stores, concerned about potential travel disruptions and power outages.
By Friday afternoon, the storm will start intensifying, bringing snow to areas from the Texas Panhandle through Kansas and perhaps reaching Missouri.
Predictions suggest snow accumulation could vary widely, with most areas expecting between 5 to 8 inches. However, cities like Oklahoma City, Kansas City, and Wichita might see totals close to a foot.
Cold rain is anticipated to spread across parts of Texas starting Friday afternoon, leading to quickly developing freezing rain as colder air descends.
Cities affected: Dallas, Little Rock, Shreveport, Nashville, Memphis, Atlanta, Charlotte
Interstates affected: I-40, I-20, I-65
Affected airports: BNA, LIT, SHV, MEM, ATL, CLT, HSV, BHM
A high-impact storm will push into the Southeast overnight Friday into Saturday, affecting millions with ice and snow. This presents a significant risk for power outages from Mississippi to the Carolinas, prompting ice storm warnings in Tennessee, northern Mississippi, and Alabama.
The wintry conditions will continue to affect Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana, moving into Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, and the Carolinas by Saturday.
Major cities including Nashville, Memphis, Atlanta, and Charlotte, along with several key airports and highways, are likely to experience disruptions.
Icing is a concern across large stretches from Midland, Texas to Dallas and Little Rock, creating hazardous conditions throughout Saturday.
Freezing rain is expected in the corridor between Atlanta and Charlotte late into Saturday afternoon.
The heaviest snowfall will likely impact areas north of Interstate 40 in Tennessee, especially across the Cumberland Plateau and southern Appalachians of East Tennessee and Kentucky. Louisville is predicted to receive significant snowfall—around 8 to 12 inches.
Snow will also spread into Virginia and West Virginia on Saturday afternoon, paving the way for heavy snowfall in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast on Sunday.
Sunday
Cities affected: Nashville, Atlanta, Columbia, Raleigh, Wilmington, Richmond, Washington, Philadelphia, New York City
Interstates affected: I-81, I-95, I-20, I-40, I-75
Affected airports: ATL, BNA, RDU, PHL, DCA, LGA, ROA, JFK, EWR
Sunday morning may bring snow from northern Virginia to the New York tri-state area.
The storm’s intensity will peak, potentially delivering snowfall rates of 1 inch per hour.
Winter Storm Watches are being issued from Washington to New York City and Boston.
Ten states in the Northeast may receive over a foot of snow, with warnings or advisories likely to follow.
This could be one of the largest snowstorms in years, impacting travel across major interstates and airports along the East Coast.
Monday
Cities affected: New York, Philadelphia, Washington
Interstates affected: I-81, I-95, I-80
Affected airports: EWR, LGA, JFK, PHL, DCA
As the storm weakens from west to east on Monday, lingering snow and ice are expected as frigid temperatures persist in the area.
The Northeast, including cities like New York and Philadelphia, may still see wintery conditions even after the storm has passed, with some areas in New England experiencing snowfall into Monday night.
In the South, places from Dallas to Little Rock might wake up to single-digit or subzero temperatures on Monday morning—nearly 30 to 40 degrees below normal.
Southeastern temperatures will remain chilly well into next week, and areas affected by ice and snow are likely to experience long-lasting impacts.
Cities like Atlanta, Raleigh, and Wilmington could see daytime highs around 15 to 20 degrees cooler than usual, with some parts struggling to reach even sub-zero temperatures during the day.
Overnight lows could dip into the 20s and teens by Tuesday and Wednesday mornings across various Southeastern regions.
This ongoing deep freeze will cause melting during the day to refreeze at night, creating dangerous black ice, which complicates restoration efforts significantly.
