Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee and East Coast States Face Major Winter Storm With Extreme Cold, Ice and Heavy Snow
UNITED STATES — A powerful and potentially dangerous major winter storm is forecast to impact a large portion of the country beginning Friday and continuing through the weekend, placing Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, the Ohio Valley, and multiple East Coast states at risk for extreme cold, widespread ice, heavy snow, and prolonged power disruptions, according to current model guidance and impact projections.
Forecasters warn that this system carries high-impact potential, especially across the South and central United States, where infrastructure is more vulnerable to extended freezing conditions.
Extreme Cold Threat Focused on Texas and the Southern Plains
Forecast temperature anomaly data shows Texas and parts of Oklahoma plunging 35 to 40 degrees below normal, with overnight lows expected to fall into the teens and lower 20s by Saturday night. These temperatures are comparable to the February 2021 winter disaster, which caused widespread grid failures across Texas.
Ice accumulation is a major concern across North and Central Texas, where freezing rain may arrive before the coldest air, increasing the likelihood of downed power lines, prolonged outages, and dangerous indoor cold exposure.
Ice and Mixed Precipitation Risk From Arkansas to Tennessee
As the storm progresses eastward, a broad corridor from Arkansas through Tennessee and into the Appalachians is expected to see snow, sleet, and freezing rain. Impact maps highlight a clear “prepare now” zone, where confidence is highest that travel disruptions and power outages will occur regardless of exact precipitation totals.
Even small shifts in storm track could dramatically alter conditions, especially along the ice-to-snow transition zone, where infrastructure damage risk is highest.
Heavy Snow Potential Expands Into the Ohio Valley and East Coast
Colder air locked in place across the northern tier supports accumulating snow from the Midwest and Ohio Valley into the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Current projections show the potential for moderate to heavy snowfall, particularly in inland areas away from coastal mixing zones.
Along the East Coast, uncertainty remains regarding the exact track of the surface low, but inland locations currently show the highest probability for significant snow accumulation, while coastal areas monitor the risk of rain-to-snow transitions.
Why Meteorologists Are Taking This Storm Seriously
Several key factors are elevating concern levels:
- Long-duration extreme cold, not a brief Arctic blast
- Widespread ice and snow overlap, increasing infrastructure strain
- Strong multi-model agreement on a high-impact setup
Even though snowfall and ice totals will be refined in the coming days, forecasters stress that the overall threat is already clear.
Preparation Urged Across Multiple States
Residents across Texas, the South, the Ohio Valley, and the East Coast are urged to prepare immediately, especially in regions vulnerable to power loss.
Preparation steps include:
- Securing backup heat sources
- Stocking food, water, and medications
- Protecting pipes and plumbing
- Checking on elderly and vulnerable family members
- Avoiding unnecessary travel once conditions deteriorate
Bottom Line
This storm is shaping up to be a significant, multi-state winter event with life-disrupting impacts possible across several regions. While details will continue to evolve, early preparation is critical to reduce risk.
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