A Major Winter Storm Hits the US: What You Need to Know

A significant winter storm is sweeping across the US, bringing ice, heavy snow, and hazardous conditions to numerous states. This storm is expected to cause power outages, travel disruptions, and dangerous road conditions.

Ice Storm Warnings in the South

The National Weather Service has issued ice storm warnings for parts of the South, including northern Georgia. These warnings indicate a serious threat of ice buildup on power lines and trees, which can lead to power outages and tree damage. The warning is in effect from Saturday afternoon to Monday morning.

More than 15 million people are under ice storm warnings in the South. Southwest Airlines has already canceled hundreds of flights due to the storm and warns of more cancellations. The airline has suspended operations at several airports, including:

Amarillo
Lubbock
Oklahoma City
Tulsa
Little Rock
Wichita
Memphis

Atlanta Prepares for Wintry Weather

Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is preparing for potential ice and wintry weather. The airport has well-trained crews and equipment ready to treat runways and taxiways. Despite infrequent experience with snow and ice, crews are familiar with the equipment and will operate throughout the storm.

Challenges in Keeping Roads Clear

Rain at the onset of the storm is complicating efforts to keep roads clear in parts of the South. Crews in some states, like Texas, have started to pretreat roads earlier this week to prevent them from icing up during the storm. However, precipitation from the storm is likely to start as plain rain for many Gulf Coast states before changing over to ice or snow. This can wash away salt, brine, or sand that crews have already deployed, leaving roadways susceptible to ice.

Kansas Declares State of Disaster Emergency

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has issued a state of disaster emergency proclamation due to the winter weather forecast for the state. The winter storm is expected to produce large amounts of snow across more than a dozen states, bringing frigid temperatures and dangerous wind chills to Kansas. Snowfall amounts will vary across the state, ranging from light accumulations to several inches.

New York City Prepares for Heavy Snowfall

Plans for battling the major winter storm expected to hit New York City are already underway. City officials are closely monitoring the forecast while already coating major roads with salt. The city could see between 10 to 14 inches of snow, starting Sunday and lasting until midday Monday. The city's sanitation department is the largest snow-fighting operation in the entire county, with:

2,000 sanitation workers on 12-hour shifts
700 salt spreaders coating the streets
700 million pounds of salt at the ready
2,200 snow plows ready to clear the streets as soon as 2 inches of snow accumulate on the ground

Impact on Snowfall Deficits

This single storm could wipe out some cities' snowfall deficits for the season so far. Amarillo, Texas, Kansas City, and Wichita, Kansas, are all running 5 or more inches behind average snowfall pace this season. Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma, could see more snow from this one storm than they average in an entire season. In the Northeast, Boston is likely to take a huge bite out of its nearly 9-inch deficit. Baltimore, Hartford, Connecticut, Providence, Rhode Island, and Washington, D.C. could also see snowfall climb above average for the season thanks to this storm.

Philadelphia Declares Snow Emergency

The City of Philadelphia is declaring a Snow Emergency starting at Saturday at 9 PM. Mayor Cherelle Parker announced that street crews have already started pre-treating roads in anticipation of the winter storm, and more than 1,000 workers have been mobilized ahead of the weekend. The city has:

Over 600 pieces of equipment
Over 30,000 tons of salt at the ready

Washington, DC, Declares State of Emergency

Washington, DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a state of emergency in the city on Friday as the nation's capital prepares for impacts from the storm. The city could see its biggest snowfall in more than five years this weekend, with some freezing rain likely to fall on top of the snow, adding to the hazardous road conditions. The city is treating roads with salt and will start plowing roads tomorrow and throughout the weekend. The mayor said the DC National Guard will provide vehicle support to ensure first responders are able to move around the city during the storm.

How to Prepare for the Storm

Even moderate winter storms can wreak havoc on electricity and other infrastructure, and this one's unlikely to be moderate. Here's how to prepare:

Plan for days of isolation if electricity goes out.
Get prescriptions, medical needs, warm clothes, and food in place before the storm.
Make sure flashlights, radios, and extra batteries are on hand.
Buy shelf-stable food that won't require electricity, refrigeration, or cooking.
Don't forget bottled water.
Protect your pipes by opening cabinets to circulate warmer air and leaving faucets dripping.
Beware of makeshift heating systems like grills, camp stoves, or generators indoors. Carbon monoxide is odorless and deadly and poses a major risk from these heating sources during winter storms.
Don't forget your car. Gas up before the storm, keep an emergency kit in your trunk, and don't park under power lines or trees.