Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky Brace for Potential High-Impact Winter Storm With Snow, Ice and Arctic Cold Late This Weekend
UNITED STATES — Forecast confidence is gradually increasing around a potentially high-impact winter storm expected to develop late Friday and intensify through the weekend, with snow, ice, and bitter Arctic air threatening a wide corridor from Texas and Oklahoma through the Mid-South, Appalachians, and Mid-Atlantic. While exact placement remains uncertain, multiple forecast models continue to signal a significant winter weather setup.
Developing Storm Setup Across the Central and Eastern U.S.
Meteorologists are closely monitoring a strong southern-stream storm system expected to form Friday night and track northeast through Saturday and Sunday. At the same time, high pressure over Canada is forecast to surge south, delivering sub-freezing Arctic air into the central and eastern United States.
This clash between Gulf moisture and deep cold air is a classic recipe for heavy snow north of the storm track and ice south of it. Forecast graphics show a broad swath of winter precipitation stretching from North Texas and Oklahoma through Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, and into the Mid-Atlantic states.
Several model runs suggest a large snow band could develop on the cold side of the system, while freezing rain and sleet remain a serious concern across parts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia, especially where surface temperatures hover near freezing.
Snowfall Probabilities and Ice Concerns by Region
Probability maps indicate moderate to high chances of at least three inches of snow across portions of the Southern Plains, Mid-South, Ohio Valley, and central Appalachians. Some areas show probabilities exceeding 60 to 80 percent, highlighting the potential for disruptive accumulations if the storm tracks favorably.
Farther south, forecasters are emphasizing the risk of ice accumulation, which could pose a greater hazard than snow in places like North and Central Texas, southern Arkansas, northern Louisiana, and parts of the Deep South. Even light icing could lead to power outages, hazardous travel, and infrastructure strain, particularly if cold air deepens behind the system.
Behind the storm, a strong Arctic blast is expected to follow, bringing dangerously cold temperatures into much of the central and eastern U.S., potentially prolonging impacts well into early next week.
What Forecasters Know — and What Remains Uncertain
Forecast confidence currently sits around 2.5 out of 5, reflecting agreement on the overall pattern but uncertainty in the details.
What is becoming clearer:
- A large, high-impact winter storm is likely this weekend.
- Timing favors Friday night through Sunday, with impacts lingering.
- Snow and ice are both likely, depending on location.
- Very cold air will surge south behind the storm.
What remains uncertain:
- Exactly where the heaviest snow band sets up.
- The precise ice corridor south of the snow line.
- The track of the low-pressure center, which will determine impacts.
- Final snowfall and ice totals for individual communities.
Small shifts in storm track could dramatically change outcomes over relatively short distances.
Why This Storm Could Become High Impact
This system stands out because of its size, moisture availability, and Arctic air support. Forecast discussions highlight the potential for a long-duration event affecting thousands of miles across the U.S., rather than a localized storm.
With many areas in the South less accustomed to winter weather, even modest snow or ice could result in major travel disruptions, school closures, and power issues. The cold air following the storm may also worsen impacts by preventing rapid melting.
As forecast confidence improves over the coming days, residents across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, and surrounding states are encouraged to stay weather-aware and prepare for possible winter impacts.
For continued weather updates, regional outlooks, and timely coverage, visit ChicagoMusicGuide.com, where we track developing storms and breaking conditions across the United States.