Winter storm threat brings snow and ice threat to millions : NPR
A shopper searches for water on nearly empty shelves at a pre-winter grocery store Wednesday in Marietta, Georgia.
Mike Stewart/AP
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Mike Stewart/AP
Much of the United States is bracing for a potentially deadly winter storm that will bring freezing temperatures and dump significant amounts of freezing rain, ice, snow and sleet, making travel conditions dangerous and straining power systems. Tens of millions of people are facing a winter storm and extreme cold.
“This is a very large storm that is going to impact a large part of the United States, starting in the west to eastern New Mexico, then through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, the Ohio River Valley, and even up to the Northeast,” said Matt Reagan, senior forecaster with the National Weather Service in Nashville, Tennessee.
Although winter storm systems can be difficult to predict, he says western states will begin to feel the impacts on Friday and then the system will move east through Monday.
Heavy snow is forecast for the Northeast, with the potential for blinding snow squalls in parts of New England. Farther south, crippling ice and sleet pose the greatest risk, although forecasts of severe impacts in the south have eased over the past day.
“As far as the freezing rain potential goes, it looks higher as you get into northern Louisiana, southeast Arkansas, northern Mississippi, and then south middle Tennessee as well,” Reagan said.
“Even for those who are used to winter conditions, there’s not much you can do with freezing rain,” he says. “You can’t drive there even if you have four-wheel drive.”
Widespread power outages pose a danger.
A digital billboard along Interstate 75 in Richardson, Texas, warns of road preparations for severe weather expected in the area in the coming days.
Tony Gutiérrez/AP
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Tony Gutiérrez/AP
“The accumulation of freezing rain can begin to affect branches which will begin to break and potentially fall onto power lines,” says Reagan. “Once you get over half an inch, you’re talking about possible downed power lines without trees or anything falling on them.”
And he says the frigid air will remain after the storm passes.
Prepare now
Several governors declared states of emergency ahead of the storm, including in Texas, the Carolinas and Georgia. This allows them to pretreat highways, stage supplies and equipment, and call in National Guard troops. Cities are implementing freeze plans and opening shelters and warming stations for severe weather.
“A winter storm is approaching and now is the time to prepare,” said North Carolina Governor Josh Stein. “Please get ready.”
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp is also telling people to have a plan for extended power outages.
“Make sure you have everything you need at home to stay warm and protected in case you lose power for a day or two,” says Kemp.
Both governors are urging people to prepare now and avoid going outside once snow and ice begin to fall.
“I encourage all North Carolinians to stay home and off the roads this weekend, unless absolutely necessary, so that first responders can do their jobs safely and effectively,” Stein said.
In Atlanta, people stocked up at Bates Ace Hardware. Manager Lewis Pane told the Associated Press that his entire stock of ice-melting salt was exhausted. Customer Wendy Chambers bought batteries and flashlights and is preparing to stay inside, read and play games.
The storm is also likely to disrupt air travel at some of the nation’s busiest airports, including Dallas, Atlanta, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Boston and New York. Several airlines, including Delta and American, are issuing travel advisories for affected airports and waiving rebooking fees.
This winter storm is fueled by a cold air mass from the north colliding with a plume of moisture from the southwest, according to forecaster Reagan.
The National Weather Service encourages people to follow their local weather source because forecasts often change as forecasters’ confidence and uncertainty evolve.
