US NWS says Arctic Storm could bring severe Temperatures with Ice Storm & Snow

Listen to this article

The US National Weather Service Prediction Center forecasts have predicted that states across the Midwest, Northeast, and South could experience severe cold temperatures, along with a massive ice storm and snow this weekend. It could be the longest stretch of cold air the country has seen so far this winter season. Point to be noted that a powerful cold front of Arctic air is expected to flow into areas across the Midwest, southern Texas, and the East Coast, where subzero wind chills are possible. The weather agency said low temperatures on Friday morning could range between zero to 10 degrees below zero Fahrenheit in the Upper Midwest and northern New England states. The interior Northeast could see subzero temperatures and strong winds by Saturday morning.

Some parts in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North and South Dakota, and Michigan could be in for dangerously cold wind chills as low as 35 degrees below zero this weekend. The NWS said that areas in those states, along with multiple others spanning from Texas to Maine, are under wind chill. Moreover, some parts of North Carolina and Virginia are expecting heavy mixed precipitation and are under winter storm warnings, with several inches of snow accumulation possible. Some areas in southern Texas could see light snow beginning Friday, with temperatures up to 30 degrees below normal. The cold air could accompany significant icefall throughout southern Texas as well as North and South Carolina. Ice accumulation in these areas could reach up to a tenth of an inch.

The NWS also warned that icy areas are most at risk for downed trees and power lines. The warnings in southern Texas came just days after a wildfire forced local residents to evacuate. Texas Parks and Wildlife said a prescribed fire at Bastrop State Park spread beyond its intended fire boundaries on Tuesday. The 783-acre blaze was 58% contained, and all evacuation and road closure orders had been lifted, as of Wednesday afternoon. Governors in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia have declared states of emergency ahead of the winter storm. The Governor of Kentucky, Andy Beshear advised residents to prepare ahead of time. The NWS advises residents in the storm’s path to avoid traveling on the potentially slippery roads, if possible, wear appropriate clothing, and plan for potential power outages.