Snow and Ice to Fall Across 1,500-Mile Stretch of Southern US, Triggering Accidents and Flight Cancellations
Significant snow and icy precipitation are expected to fall across a 1,500-mile-long swath of the southern United States during the second half of this week, according to AccuWeather meteorologists. The storm is likely to trigger scores of accidents, road closures, and flight cancellations.
The storm will produce 1-6 inches of snow from central Texas through much of Tennessee and the southern Appalachians into Friday. Pockets of 6-12 inches of snow are expected in areas such as north of Dallas to Little Rock, Arkansas, eastern Tennessee, and western North Carolina mountains.
A vast area of sleet will limit the amount of snow that falls from northeastern Texas through the northern parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and South Carolina, as well as the southern part of Arkansas and central Texas into Friday. Freezing rain is expected along the Interstate-20 corridor, which can be especially dangerous for motorists and pedestrians.
The storm will envelop Nashville and Knoxville, Tennessee, on Friday, with some sleet reducing the accumulation in Memphis and Chattanooga. The cities will experience a disruptive winter storm. Chicago and Detroit can expect 1-3 inches of snow on Friday, with slippery streets and highways and airline delays due to deicing operations.
The storm will also bring a significant amount of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, leading to drenching downpours and thunderstorms along the I-10 corridor from Texas to northern Florida. Urban flooding is possible in areas such as Houston, New Orleans, and Mobile, Alabama.
The storm will create additional hardships for those still recovering from Hurricane Helene, which struck in September. Motorists should be prepared for dangerous driving conditions around Atlanta, Charlotte, and Greenville, South Carolina. Some sporadic power outages are likely, and bridges and overpasses may be especially slippery.
The storm is expected to end as plain rain and drizzle on Friday night, but some locations could experience a brief period of wet snow before it departs. North of Charlotte, the colder air will hold its ground, with a general and persistent zone of snow and ice in store for North Carolina and southern Virginia.