Winter Storm With Ice & Heavy Snow To Affect Over 230 Million
A powerful winter storm is brewing and set to hit much of United States this weekend. Millions from the Southern Plains through the Midwest and into the Northeast are bracing for heavy snowfall, damaging ice accumulations, and dangerously cold arctic air. Forecasts indicate 6-12 inches of snow or more in wide swaths of the central Plains, Midwest, Ohio Valley, and Mid-Atlantic, with localized totals pushing toward 1-2 feet in parts of the Appalachians and Northeast.
Farther south, catastrophic ice is expected across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, the Tennessee Valley, and into the Carolinas, potentially exceeding 0.5-1 inch in places and threatening power outages and treacherous travel. In Chicago and surrounding areas, extreme wind chills could dip to -30°F or lower, amplifying the storm’s bite.
Great news for skiers in the Midwest and Northeast heavy snow is expect but you better bundle up because it about to get bitter cold. Be safe out there folks. Here is how the folks from Direct Weather are forecasting storm:
Upcoming Winter Storm: Regional Snow and Ice Forecast
This major winter storm, arriving Saturday and continuing through Monday in some areas, will deliver heavy snowfall of 1-2 feet in many regions, with a significant ice storm threat farther south. A three-day duration is expected in parts of the Northeast, followed by brutally cold arctic air.
Central Plains and Upper Midwest
Snow develops Saturday morning across Nebraska, Kansas, northern Oklahoma, Missouri, and parts of northern Arkansas. Accumulations reach 10-15 inches in many spots, with 6-10 inches possible in surrounding areas. Heaviest totals favor Kansas into Missouri. Snow continues through Sunday, tapering by Monday.
Southern Plains and Lower Midwest
Northern Texas, southern Oklahoma, and southern Arkansas see a transition to significant ice accumulation starting Saturday, potentially reaching damaging levels. Snow mixes or transitions northward into heavier snow in northern portions. Ice remains a major concern through Sunday in parts of Arkansas and Missouri.
Southeast and Deep South
A potentially severe ice event targets Mississippi, northern Alabama, northern Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, and southern North Carolina starting late Saturday. Freezing rain could total 1-2 inches in pockets, creating dangerous conditions. Some ice extends into Louisiana, southern Arkansas, and Kentucky. Coastal areas see reduced ice risk.
Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic
Heavy snow spreads into Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia on Saturday night through Sunday. Totals of 10-15 inches are likely in southern Illinois and northern Kentucky, with 6-10 inches farther east. Pennsylvania, northern New Jersey, Maryland, and northern Virginia see 12-24 inches by storm end, with some areas approaching 2 feet. Ice mixes possible early in southern zones, shifting to snow.
Northeast
Snow intensifies Sunday into Monday across southern New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and southern New England. Accumulations of 1-2 feet are favored, with 18-25 inches possible in parts of eastern Pennsylvania, northern New Jersey, New York City metro, upstate New York, and southern New England. A northward storm track favors heavier totals here. Lingering snow into early Tuesday in northern New England. Ice over snow creates extra hazards in transition zones.
Longer-Range Outlook
Arctic air persists post-storm, keeping conditions brutally cold. Midweek may bring minor to moderate snow in the Midwest/Ohio Valley/Northeast from a passing system. Next weekend shows potential for another major storm, with model differences suggesting heavy snow from the Southeast to Northeast or a more southern track.
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