A powerful winter storm, dubbed Winter Storm Fern, is set to impact 33 US states across nearly 2,000 miles this weekend, bringing heavy snow, sleet, and dangerous ice to over 180 million people. Panic-buying has already been reported in parts of the country, particularly in states less accustomed to severe winter weather, including Alabama, Texas and Tennessee, with grocery store shelves cleared of staples like milk, bread and bottled water.
The storm is forecast to develop on Friday in the Rockies and Plains before moving south into Texas and then up into the Northeast, according to AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham. Major cities in the projected path include Dallas, Oklahoma City, Nashville, Charlotte, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and New York City. The National Weather Service has issued winter storm watches and warnings across several regions from the southern Rockies through parts of the southeast and into the Ohio Valley and Northeast.
Forecasters warn of a dangerous mix of heavy snow, sleet and damaging ice from the Southern Plains through the Midwest and into the northeast. In southern states, significant ice accumulations could make roads impassable and bring down tree limbs and power lines, potentially leading to widespread outages. Farther north, many areas could see at least six inches of snow, with some locations receiving a foot or more.
Travel disruptions, including flight delays and cancellations, are expected at major hubs as snow and ice peak over the weekend. As the storm departs early next week, colder Arctic air will follow, keeping temperatures well below seasonal norms and posing additional risks of ice formation on untreated surfaces. The deep freeze could also take out trees, power lines and burst pipes, with below-freezing temperatures set to last through much of next week, potentially delaying recovery efforts.
Accumulating snow will hit drought-affected states including Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico, while cities such as Denver, Wichita, Oklahoma City and Tulsa will likely see snow, sleet and freezing rain on Friday. Oklahoma City is in the band that could see 6-12 inches of snow. Parts of Texas are expected to see 3-6 inches of snow, and a threatening ice storm may also impact residents from Texas all the way to the Carolinas.
