DALLAS — A significant winter storm has impacted much of Texas and Oklahoma, blanketing areas with heavy snow and creating icy road conditions as it moved eastward into southern U.S. states, resulting in states of emergency and widespread school closures.
Authorities in Arkansas have activated the National Guard to assist motorists stranded due to the extreme weather. Millions of children across southern states, from Texas to Georgia and extending to South Carolina, experienced canceled school days on Friday.
Forecasts indicated some of the heaviest snowfall on Friday across northern Arkansas and much of Tennessee, with snow accumulations expected to range between 6 to 9 inches (15 to 22 centimeters), according to the National Weather Service.
Travel conditions have been perilous in states like Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, where a wintry mix of sleet and freezing rain intensified the risks.
In Oklahoma and Texas, snowfall totals reached up to 7 inches (18 centimeters) in some regions before the storm progressed into Arkansas. With over 4,500 flights delayed and another 2,000 canceled on Thursday, further disruptions were anticipated as the weather continued to evolve on Friday.
Local truck drivers reported treacherous driving conditions, urging others to refrain from traveling unless absolutely necessary as numerous vehicles became stuck on slushy roads.
While meteorologist experts explain that the polar vortex traditionally remains near the North Pole, it occasionally shifts southward, affecting the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Such occurrences may be increasing in frequency as a potential effect of global warming.
Compounding the winter storm’s impact, January wildfires were also reported in California, showcasing the diverse challenges posed by weather extremes this season.
Paul Kirkwood, a meteorologist, indicated that the storm will create a significant impact area stretching through parts of Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Caution has been advised in Texas, where Governor Greg Abbott urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel, particularly as 75,000 fans were expected to attend a high-stakes college football championship semifinal on Friday night in Arlington.
The storm system is projected to move northeast with heavy snow and freezing rain expected to reach the coasts of Virginia and North Carolina. Forecasts suggest that some regions might see up to 8 inches (20 centimeters) of snow by Saturday.
In anticipation of the storm’s arrival, Georgia’s Governor Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency, warning residents in the northern part of the state to prepare for snow and ice hazards beginning Friday morning. This led to the cancellation of in-person classes across metro Atlanta and surrounding areas, affecting over a million students.
In Tennessee, the Memphis-Shelby County Schools, serving over 100,000 students, closed all schools in response to expected heavy snow, with warming centers opened to assist those in need of shelter.
South Carolina is preparing for its first winter weather event in three years, with state transportation crews actively treating major routes and potential school closures in effect.
In North Carolina, a state of emergency has also been declared, with forecasts predicting up to 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) of snow, particularly in the mountainous regions, along with the possibility of sleet and freezing rain.
The approaching winter storm has led to the cancellation of a public inauguration ceremony in Raleigh, North Carolina, for state officials scheduled for Saturday.
Meanwhile, Richmond, Virginia, is under a boil-water advisory due to a storm-induced power outage affecting the water reservoir system, with city officials distributing bottled water to residents in need.
