ATLANTA (Flux Daily) — With many people in the northern U.S. still grappling with heavy snowfalls and freezing temperatures, a new storm system is poised to affect southern regions this weekend, potentially creating hazardous icy conditions on roads and interfering with power supplies.
Forecasters have issued warnings about an impending ice storm arriving late this week, predicting that ice accumulation could cause power lines to sag or snap, leading to extensive outages. With temperatures remaining low across many regions, the ice formed on sidewalks and roadways might persist, complicating travel and safety.
Details surrounding the storm’s arrival remain murky as of Tuesday, with meteorologists stressing the difficulty in pinpointing which areas may experience rain versus those likely to encounter significant ice.
Cold air clashing with rain
A cold arctic air mass from Canada is projected to move into the southeastern U.S., creating a scenario where frigid air clashes with moisture-driven precipitation. “This event is extreme, even by winter standards,” said Bryan Jackson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. As the cold air meets the moisture streaming in from the Gulf, a potentially impactful winter storm could unfold.
An atmospheric river forecasted
Forecasters are also monitoring an anticipated atmospheric river that could activate by the weekend, guiding moisture across Texas and into the Southeast, likely affecting Georgia and the Carolinas. “Models indicate a troubling potential for ice storms, particularly in North and Central Georgia,” the National Weather Service stated.
If significant ice accumulates in metro Atlanta, the situation could remain critical as low temperatures are predicted to hover around 22°F (-5.6°C) early Monday, with daytime highs only reaching 35°F (1.7°C).
Travel disruptions expected
Travel will be a serious concern with the storm, particularly given that southern states generally lack the infrastructure to manage snowfall and icy roads effectively. Following recent winter incidents in other states, which resulted in multi-vehicle pileups, there’s an acute awareness of the potential risks on the road and in air travel routes.
Airports across major hubs like Dallas, Atlanta, Memphis, and Charlotte are likely to face significant delays and cancellations as conditions deteriorate.
Deep freeze continues in the north
The northern U.S. remains trapped under extremist cold temperatures, and forecasters predict the arctic outbreak to be “the coldest yet.” With a low-pressure system dominating North America, conditions are unlikely to shift in the short term.
Texas facing initial impacts
The storm's earliest effects may be felt in Texas on Friday as the cold air system advances through the state. Forecasters predict rain transitions to the possibility of icy conditions as temperatures plunge. Uncertainty prevails over snow and ice amounts across North and Central Texas, further complicating forecasts.
