Snow, freezing rain, and rain are hitting the southern Plains on Thursday as a potent winter storm strengthens and begins its trek across the South. The storm’s footprint will expand to nearly 1,400 miles, bringing disruptive weather to the region, threatening major to extreme impacts.
Wintry precipitation has already started in parts of western and northern Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, with snow piling up in northern Texas and southern Oklahoma. At least 4 inches of snow fell in an area just north of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, and an inch or two in Oklahoma City.
The storm has caused treacherous travel, with multiple reports of jackknifed tractor-trailers and stuck cars in northern Texas and southern Oklahoma. The Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport has seen over 2,000 flights canceled, while several school districts in the area have closed for the day and Friday.
The storm will expand over more of the southern Plains and into the Mississippi Valley through Thursday night, bringing snow, sleet, and freezing rain. Frigid temperatures will increase power demands in Texas, but grid conditions are expected to be normal.
Arkansas’ Little Rock School District has also closed all schools and offices for Thursday and Friday, with snow arriving in the city by the early afternoon.
Any amount of ice is dangerous, even a thin layer, which can turn paved surfaces into skating rinks and cause accidents. The storm is expected to bring at least moderate impacts to parts of Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, with some areas experiencing major or extreme disruptions.
The storm will continue to track east, bringing messy winter weather to much of the South. Small shifts in its track could change snow and ice outcomes. Snow totals will be highest from far northeast Texas to southeast Oklahoma and into Tennessee and parts of the southern Appalachians, with several inches of snow possible in some areas.