A powerful winter storm is set to sweep across the majority of the United States over the weekend, bringing potentially record-breaking cold temperatures, heavy snowfall, and hazardous conditions. Forecasters warn that widespread freezing rain, sleet, and ice could lead to hazardous travel disruptions, power outages, and even life-threatening risks from hypothermia and frostbite.
As the storm system moves east, it is expected to bring significant snowfall totals exceeding 12 inches across the Ohio Valley, mid-Atlantic, and Northeast. The National Weather Service has issued widespread winter storm warnings for parts of these regions, as well as other areas including New York, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas.
Residents in affected areas are advised to prepare for extremely cold air that will linger behind the storm, posing a significant risk to infrastructure and travel conditions. In addition, weather officials have warned of bitterly cold windchill values that could pose a life-threatening risk to exposed skin.
With over 160 million Americans under winter hazards associated with the impending storm, emergency response resources are being activated across several states, including governors' declarations of states of emergency or preparedness. The storm is expected to impact around half of the US population, making it an unusually significant event for the country's winter weather forecasters.
Residents in regions including New England and the mid-Atlantic can expect hazardous travel conditions and potentially record-breaking cold temperatures, while areas further south are at risk from widespread freezing rain and sleet. The storm is expected to spread its impact throughout the weekend, lingering into Monday in some areas.
As the storm system moves east, it is expected to bring significant snowfall totals exceeding 12 inches across the Ohio Valley, mid-Atlantic, and Northeast. The National Weather Service has issued widespread winter storm warnings for parts of these regions, as well as other areas including New York, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas.
Residents in affected areas are advised to prepare for extremely cold air that will linger behind the storm, posing a significant risk to infrastructure and travel conditions. In addition, weather officials have warned of bitterly cold windchill values that could pose a life-threatening risk to exposed skin.
With over 160 million Americans under winter hazards associated with the impending storm, emergency response resources are being activated across several states, including governors' declarations of states of emergency or preparedness. The storm is expected to impact around half of the US population, making it an unusually significant event for the country's winter weather forecasters.
Residents in regions including New England and the mid-Atlantic can expect hazardous travel conditions and potentially record-breaking cold temperatures, while areas further south are at risk from widespread freezing rain and sleet. The storm is expected to spread its impact throughout the weekend, lingering into Monday in some areas.