A severe ice storm is forecast to sweep across the U.S. South, from Texas to the Carolinas, this weekend, threatening widespread power outages, dangerous travel conditions, and prolonged freezing temperatures as an arctic air mass clashes with Gulf moisture.
A new and potentially catastrophic ice storm is poised to strike a vast area of the Southern U.S., stretching from Texas to the Carolinas, this weekend. Following earlier severe cold in the northern states, this storm is described by forecasters as a "widespread potentially catastrophic event." Experts warn that significant ice accumulation, potentially half an inch to an inch, could lead to widespread power outages by weighing down trees and power lines. The storm is fueled by an extremely cold arctic air mass moving south from Canada, clashing with moisture streaming eastward from the Gulf of Mexico, possibly forming an "atmospheric river." This clash is expected to create "great swaths of heavy snow, sleet, and treacherous freezing rain" from Friday through Sunday. Travel is a major concern, as southern states have fewer resources for ice removal, and temperatures are expected to remain low for days, preventing ice from melting. Major airports in Dallas, Atlanta, Memphis, and Charlotte could face significant disruptions. Texas is anticipated to experience the storm's initial impacts on Friday, with low temperatures potentially dropping into the teens. Residents in affected areas, like Little Rock, Arkansas, are already stocking up on essentials such as shovels, ice-melting products, and faucet covers.
