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By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
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National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists have issued the first batch of winter storm watches in regard to Winter Storm Fern, which is set to bring impacts across much of the U.S. later this week.
Uncertainty still remains about the storm's track and level of severity, but meteorologists have started warning people about expected impacts from the storm, which will bring snow and ice from the Southern Plains through the Mid-Atlantic region beginning on Thursday night. The storm will hit the Southern Plains first, bringing snowfall and ice to Texas and Oklahoma before marching eastward through the U.S. South, Southeast, and up into the Mid-Atlantic by later in the weekend. Snowfall estimates for the Mid-Atlantic region are still uncertain, but NWS meteorologists have begun to publish forecasts of what people in the Southern Plains and the South can expect.
More than a dozen states are anticipating at least moderate impacts from the storm, with the NWS warning that broad swaths of dangerous ice will cause power outages, dangerous travel conditions, and tree damage. Heavy snow could further complicate travel and cause school delays or cancellations.
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"This is shaping up to be the most impactful storm of the winter so far. Ice could bring down trees and power lines, potentially leaving hundreds of thousands of people without electricity and heat for several days," AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter told Newsweek in an email. "Widespread travel disruptions are likely across the country this weekend. Icy and snow-covered roads could force highway closures lasting for hours. Thousands of flight cancellations are possible nationwide as snow and ice affect major airports, with delays and cancellations likely to ripple across the country."
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Which states will the winter storm hit?
As of Wednesday, winter storm watches have been issued in New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi.
According to the first round of winter storm watches issued on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, the heaviest snowfall will occur in New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas, with up to 10 inches of snow forecast and locally higher amounts possible.
Parts of Kansas, Kentucky and Tennessee could see up to 6 inches of snow, including in areas that don't typically see heavy snowfall events, such as Memphis, which could see around 3 inches. Ice will also pose a risk for people in these states.
"Expect power outages and tree damage due to the ice," the NWS office in Memphis said in a winter storm watch. "Travel could be impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the Friday evening commute."
Forecasts for Missouri anticipate up to 7 inches of snow, and as much as 3 inches could fall in the southern states of Alabama and Mississippi. Louisiana is expecting up to 8 inches.
People told to delay all travel
Widespread travel impacts are expected with this storm.
"Persons should consider delaying all travel. If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution," the NWS office in Huntsville, Alabama, said in the winter storm watch. "Consider taking a winter storm kit along with you, including such items as tire chains, booster cables, flashlight, shovel, blankets and extra clothing. Also take water, a first aid kit, and anything else that would help you survive in case you become stranded."
The winter storm watches will change into winter storm warnings as the storm gets closer, and more winter storm watches and warnings will likely be issued for the Mid-Atlantic region. The NWS stressed that much uncertainty persists in the storm's track and the snow and ice amounts, and forecasts will likely change in the coming days.
On Wednesday, the storm's forecasted path shifted slightly north.
"An expansive winter storm will produce swaths of heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain from the Southern Rockies and Plains into the Mid-South starting Friday and shifting across the East Coast this weekend, possibly through Monday for New England," the NWS Weather Prediction Center posted on X on Wednesday morning. "Extreme cold in the wake of this system will prolong snow and ice impacts."
Where will snow be the heaviest?
The NWS Weather Prediction Center's key messages detailed that people should expect heavy snow from the Southern Rockies and the south-central Plains eastward through the Mid-Atlantic.
"Snow-covered roads and low visibility will cause widespread travel disruptions," the message said.
Where will ice be the worst?
Ice, which could make travel impossible and cause widespread power outages, is expected south of the snow path. As of Wednesday, forecasts anticipate ice in the Southern Plains, Mid-South and the Carolinas.
"Treacherous travel conditions, prolonged power outages, and tree damage likely," the message said.
How cold will it get?
Temperatures are expected to plunge across the eastern two-thirds of the U.S. this weekend, the NWS Weather Prediction Center warned. Sub-zero and single digit temperatures are expected across the Northern Plains on Thursday and will stretch into the Mid-Mississippi Valley, Ohio Valley and the Northeast by Sunday.
Temperatures will drop into the teens for the Southeast and Gulf Coast early next week.
Strong winds will make the temperatures feel even colder. The lowest feels-like temperatures will be in the Northern Plains, where it could feel like minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Sub-zero wind chills will lash the Mid-Atlantic and Southern Plains.
"These wind chills will pose a life-threatening risk of hypothermia and frostbite to exposed skin," the NWS Weather Prediction Center said. "Additionally, any power outages caused by a winter storm this weekend could prolong and compound this risk. Ensure pets and animals have protection from the cold."
Although the impactful winter storm will exit the U.S. by early next week, the extreme cold will linger.
"Much below normal temperatures may continue for much of the East through the end of January and into early February, with a High Risk indicated for the Ohio Valley and parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast January 28-30," the NWS Weather Prediction Center said.
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