Millions of Americans are bracing for a massive winter storm that's expected to bring snow, sleet, and freezing rain across nearly three-quarters of the country. The storm system, spanning from New Mexico and Texas to the Northeast, is forecast to impact 35 states, with possible hazardous conditions predicted across 19 states and Washington D.C.
The largest storm in recent history to affect so many states, it's expected to leave a trail of destruction in its wake. As millions hunker down for the worst of it, emergency declarations have been issued in multiple states, including South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Arkansas, Alabama, Delaware, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Indiana, Texas, and West Virginia.
The storm's effects will be felt across the country, with forecasters warning of frigid temperatures, gusty winds, and wind chills that could bring mercury levels plummeting into negative numbers. Areas at the center of the storm are expected to see up to two feet of snow between Saturday and Monday, with major cities like New York City, Boston, and Oklahoma City bracing for 12-18 inches of snow.
However, it's not just snow that poses a threat – ice accumulations are also forecast, which can be more treacherous than snow. The weight of ice on power lines is more likely to cause outages, and it's harder to clear than snow, making driving conditions even more hazardous.
The southern part of the country will see both snow and ice, with areas like Texas, Georgia, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee expected to receive significant accumulations. Freezing rain has already begun coating roads in these states, and cars are struggling to stay on the road.
As the storm begins to move across land, residents are being warned to stay home and avoid driving altogether. However, dozens of drivers have already slid off the roads, highlighting the severity of the situation. With 45 snowplows at Nashville's disposal, transportation officials are bracing for a long and challenging day ahead.
The National Weather Service has issued warnings of "catastrophic impacts" where freezing rain amounts exceed half an inch, with over one-inch totals possible in parts of northern Louisiana, central and northern Mississippi, southern Tennessee, and the southern Appalachians. Temperatures or wind chills are forecast to fall below 5 degrees Fahrenheit for over 47 million people under an extreme cold warning, while over 8 million are under a watch for more severe conditions.
As the storm rages on, communities from the Southern Plains to the Northeast will contend with bitterly cold temperatures and dangerously cold wind chills. The National Weather Service cautions that prolonged hazardous travel and infrastructure impacts are expected in the wake of the storm.
The largest storm in recent history to affect so many states, it's expected to leave a trail of destruction in its wake. As millions hunker down for the worst of it, emergency declarations have been issued in multiple states, including South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Arkansas, Alabama, Delaware, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Indiana, Texas, and West Virginia.
The storm's effects will be felt across the country, with forecasters warning of frigid temperatures, gusty winds, and wind chills that could bring mercury levels plummeting into negative numbers. Areas at the center of the storm are expected to see up to two feet of snow between Saturday and Monday, with major cities like New York City, Boston, and Oklahoma City bracing for 12-18 inches of snow.
However, it's not just snow that poses a threat – ice accumulations are also forecast, which can be more treacherous than snow. The weight of ice on power lines is more likely to cause outages, and it's harder to clear than snow, making driving conditions even more hazardous.
The southern part of the country will see both snow and ice, with areas like Texas, Georgia, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee expected to receive significant accumulations. Freezing rain has already begun coating roads in these states, and cars are struggling to stay on the road.
As the storm begins to move across land, residents are being warned to stay home and avoid driving altogether. However, dozens of drivers have already slid off the roads, highlighting the severity of the situation. With 45 snowplows at Nashville's disposal, transportation officials are bracing for a long and challenging day ahead.
The National Weather Service has issued warnings of "catastrophic impacts" where freezing rain amounts exceed half an inch, with over one-inch totals possible in parts of northern Louisiana, central and northern Mississippi, southern Tennessee, and the southern Appalachians. Temperatures or wind chills are forecast to fall below 5 degrees Fahrenheit for over 47 million people under an extreme cold warning, while over 8 million are under a watch for more severe conditions.
As the storm rages on, communities from the Southern Plains to the Northeast will contend with bitterly cold temperatures and dangerously cold wind chills. The National Weather Service cautions that prolonged hazardous travel and infrastructure impacts are expected in the wake of the storm.
this storm is gonna be a doozy, I'm not surprised it's causing so much chaos - i mean, 2 feet of snow in NYC is just crazy! 
but seriously, 45 snowplows isn't enough to handle the situation... and what about all the drivers who are still out on the roads? 
freezing rain is way more treacherous than snow, I get it. 
but let's not forget that this storm is also gonna leave a huge trail of destruction behind - not just in terms of snow and ice, but also in terms of power outages and whatnot. 
so yeah, stay home and avoid driving, that's the way to go! 
Stay safe out there, everyone! 
. and ugh, 2 feet of snow in major cities? that's a lot to shovel 
. i hope everyone stays safe and warm during this time 
️.
. 2 feet of snow in NYC? That's insane! 
. My heart goes out to those who are gonna have to deal with prolonged power outages and icy roads 
. Fingers crossed the storm passes soon and we get some sunshine back 
!
streaming marathons all day sounds like a solid plan to me 
, but on the other hand, it's also possible that all the preparations and warnings will keep people safe... probably? I mean, we've been through lots of bad storms before, so some folks might not take it as seriously as they should. At the same time, it seems like a lot of states are getting hit hard, which makes me think it's gonna be really tough for everyone involved. The southern part of the country is supposed to get both snow and ice, which sounds super treacherous... or maybe just really slippery? 
35 states? dat's like half the country! but seriously, it sounds super bad with all da snow, sleet, and freezing rain... 2 feet of snow in some areas? that's crazy! 
" But at the same time, I'm all like "Nah, maybe it's not that bad... 
" I mean, I've seen some crazy storms in my time, and I know how quickly things can get out of hand. On one hand, the fact that 45 snowplows are at Nashville's disposal is kinda reassuring? 
But on the other hand, those dozens of drivers who have already slid off the roads are giving me some serious jitters 
.
Or maybe it'll be one for the books? 
Either way, I'm just gonna hunker down with a cuppa and wait for it to pass 
.
... i feel for all those people bracing for this monster storm, like 2ft of snow is a lot to deal with 
. my heart goes out to all those drivers who've already slid off the roads... stay safe everyone! 
i just hope emergency services can keep up with the demand 
This massive winter storm is like a big blanket of challenges, but I see it as an opportunity for people to come together! 
With millions bracing for the worst, we'll likely see a surge in acts of kindness and community spirit. Neighbors helping neighbors, strangers becoming friends over hot cocoa 
️, and families making memories despite the storm.
They're the unsung heroes of this storm, keeping us safe and connected.
.
️. Those folks are braving -20 degree temps and hazardous conditions just to keep us safe. Shoutout to them 
with all that snow & ice & freezing temps... 2 ft of snow in NYC?! that's wild 
This massive snowstorm is going to hit so many states, it's crazy! I'm talking 35 states, guys... that's like a whole country! 
And the worst part? The conditions are gonna be treacherous. Freezing rain, ice, and sleet are all in play, making driving conditions super sketchy.
And those temps? Brrr... -5 degrees Fahrenheit is no joke. Like, how are people even supposed to deal with that?
I'm glad they're warnin' everyone to stay home and avoid drivin', 'cause that's just askin' for trouble. And them wind chills... 5 degrees Fahrenheit? That's colder than my grandma's heart 
this storm is looking super bad 
my neighbor told me she's stockpiling supplies just in case