It’s the winter storm whose impacts could rival what we see during a hurricane. Heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain are falling from Texas to Kentucky.
Ultimately, more than 230 million people could be affected by Winter Storm Fern. More than a dozen states issued states of emergency as they prepare to respond to potentially widespread power outages that could last days.
One of the biggest worries is ice accumulation as this storm sweeps through the South.
You can track Winter Storm Fern’s movement across the country here. We hope that you have your supplies, your devices are charged and you’re safe and sound.
Throughout the weekend we’ll be bringing you live updates, covering every angle of this storm.
(09:44 a.m. EST) Why Do Forecasts Differ So Much, Depending On The Source?
From lead editor Jenn Jordan:
This was the question posed in our weekly “Ask A Met” series, so we did just that. According to our Sara Tonks, the answer lies in the key difference between a weather model and a weather forecast.
Models are raw computer simulations, meaning data only. Whereas forecasts are human-driven and therefore nuanced. They’re the product of meteorologists comparing tons of different models and sources (plus their own experience).
The result: Tiny differences in both the information and the interpretation can snowball into very different outcomes. Different apps and sites rely on different models, and of course, have different meteorologists digging into them.
For more on how some models are just better at certain predictions (and Sara’s nod to “Jurassic Park”), read here.
(09:30 a.m. EST) Latest Storm Reports
From senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman:
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The peak snow totals we’ve seen so far are 6 inches in several locations, including the Little Rock metro and near Hays, Kansas.
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Dallas-Ft. Worth is getting a little of everything from sleet and a little snow to some freezing rain on the far east and southeast side of the metro. That’s causing some elevated roads to ice over.
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Shreveport has picked up about a tenth of an inch of freezing rain, with sleet mixed in.
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Up to 1.5 inches of snow has been reported in the Memphis metro.
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1 to 2 inches of snow has been reported in both the Tulsa and Wichita metro areas.
(09:13 a.m. EST) Atlanta Is About To Get Iced Out
From content writer Toby Adeyemi:
An Ice Storm Warning has been issued across metro Atlanta. We’re talking a quarter-inch to a full inch of ice—enough to snap trees, knock out power, and turn roads into a slip ‘n’ slide.
Saturday will likely stay dry until late afternoon, so if you’re in the metro, handle your storm prep right now before conditions worsen over the next few hours.
(08:57 a.m. EST) Minus 40s
From senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman:
Three reporting stations in the upper Midwest plunged into the -40s this morning.
Two of them were near the Canadian border in northeast Minnesota, a notorious cold spot. Seagull, Minnesota, plunged to minus 43 degrees. The other was a reporting station in Iron County, Wisconsin, which bottomed out at minus 41 degrees.
Meanwhile, America’s northernmost town, Utqiagvik (formerly Barrow), Alaska, had a record high of 31 degrees above zero Friday.
It’s common for Alaska to be much warmer than average when the central and eastern U.S. is very cold.
(08:43 a.m. EST) Empty Kennels At Animal Shelters
Oconee Humane Society via Facebook
From meteorologist Sara Tonks:
After putting out calls on social media asking for anyone able to take in a foster animal for the weekend, animal shelters across the Southeast are happily reporting empty kennels ahead of the arrival of the winter weather.
Every dog available for fostering at AthensPets in Athens, Georgia, and Oconee Humane Society in Seneca, South Carolina, (along with many others, I’m sure!) has gone home with volunteers able to provide them with a safe and warm place to ride out the storm.
Other animal shelters are prepping for the storm as well, including Fulton County Animal Services in Atlanta, which will have staff staying at the shelter for the weekend to take care of the animals.
(08:28 a.m. EST) What Is A ‘Wintry Mix’?
From senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman:
You’ve probably heard meteorologists say this, but may wonder what it means.
A “wintry mix” is a mix of at least two of the following: snow, sleet or freezing rain. This term is used because sometimes the type of precipitation changes during a winter storm.
For example, when the air is cold enough, one location may start as snow, then transition to sleet or freezing rain as warmer air above the ground moves in, then change back to snow as the storm’s center of low pressure moves away and deeper, colder air arrives.
Other times, a location in warmer air may start as rain, but then as colder air crashes in, that may change to freezing rain, then sleet, then snow.
Wondering about the difference between sleet and freezing rain? We have a brief explainer here.
(08:10 a.m. EST) Flight Canceled? What To Know About Refunds
From executive producer Ron Brackett:
With thousands of flights being canceled, there’s a good chance yours could be among them.
Your airline will probably work to get you on the next available flight, but with this widespread storm, that could take a few days.
If you decide to throw in the towel and not fly at all, the airline is legally required to refund your money — even if you bought a non-refundable ticket, according to the Associated Press. It doesn’t matter why the flight was canceled.
Getty Images
Even if the airline offers you a travel credit, you are still entitled to a full refund. You are also entitled to a refund of any bag fees, seat upgrades or other extras that you didn’t get to use.
If you paid with a credit card, a refund is due within seven business days after you decline an offer from the airline for another flight or a voucher, and within 20 calendar days if you paid for the ticket with a check or cash, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
(07:50 a.m. EST) Snow Before Sunrise In Tennessee
As we mentioned earlier, parts of Tennessee are waking up to snow this morning. The Tennessee Department of Transportation showed conditions on Interstate 40 in West Tennessee.
We’re seeing local reports of at least one crash along I-40 in Nashville.
(07:44 a.m. EST) Tens Of Thousands Without Power In These States
As the temperatures plummet, more than 61,000 customers have lost power across the country so far this morning.
The majority of those outages are in Texas, impacting more than 21,000 homes and businesses, according to PowerOutage.us.
Just over 5,400 customers are without power in Arkansas. Minnesota, Oklahoma, Maryland and Michigan are also reporting significant outages.
(07:24 a.m. EST) Bitter Cold Incoming
From meteorologist Jennifer Gray:
Not only is Winter Storm Fern bringing damaging and destructive ice and snow to a huge portion of the U.S., but record cold temperatures are settling in behind Fern’s massive punch.
Many areas impacted by ice could be without power during dangerously cold temperatures.
Wind chills will bottom out at nearly 45 degrees below zero for the Northern Plains. Even the Deep South will experience record cold.
Dozens of cold temperature records could fall between Sunday and Monday alone for many locations across Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Arkansas.
(07:10 a.m. EST) Roadside Rescue In Oklahoma
Two people who ended up in a ditch as heavy snow hit Muldrow, Oklahoma, got pretty lucky overnight.
Meteorologist and storm chaser Jeff Piotrowski was able to pull them out as the wet snow blanketed Interstate 40. Piotrowski said at least 2 inches of snow was on the ground.
(07:00 a.m. EST) Digging Out Old Batteries?
Getty Images/Caroline Munsterman
If you’re preparing for power outages and pulling out spare batteries or power banks, there are some safety measures you should consider, especially when it comes to lithium-ion batteries.
Danielle Spalding, lithium battery expert with Cirba Solutions, a leading battery recycler, gave us these tips:
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Inspect all batteries for signs of swelling/bloating, burn marks, cracks, corrosion, or overheating. These are signs that the battery is damaged and should not be used.
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If a battery appears damaged in any way, stop using it immediately. Store it separately, tape the terminals with clear tape, and place it in a clear anti-static bag if possible, until it can be taken to a proper recycling location.
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Store all batteries away from areas exposed to strong temperature swings and moisture.
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Unplug devices once charged. Overcharging can increase the risk of fire.
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Avoid leaving lithium batteries in extreme cold spaces, it could reduce their performance–this includes items like rechargeable power tools.
(06:30 a.m. EST) Where Is Winter Storm Fern Now
From meteorologist Jennifer Gray:
The storm is dumping heavy snow from portions of North Texas to Tennessee this morning, while freezing rain and sleet have begun for the Dallas Metroplex and stretching into portions of northern Louisiana.
Four inches of snow have been reported in Little Rock, and much more is to come. Expect conditions to continue to deteriorate through the day, as Fern moves eastward.
You can track the latest watches, warnings and potential impacts here.
(06:10 a.m. EST) First Look At Overnight Snow
As the first flurries of snow arrived in parts of Texas and Arkansas overnight, residents got outside to take a look and document it.
The heaviest snow has been falling in Oklahoma through Arkansas. Freezing rain and sleet is underway in Dallas and will continue through much of the day.
(06:00 a.m. EST) Flight Cancellations Soaring
More than 9,000 flights across the U.S. have been canceled today and tomorrow alone. Most of the cancellations are at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, according to FlightAware.com.
We’re also seeing hundreds of cancellations in Charlotte, Nashville, Chicago and Atlanta.
