Arctic air systems generate a severe cold storm in the United States with multiple risks

A large-scale weather phenomenon threatens the United States with the progression of a cold storm that will combine heavy precipitation, ice formation, and subzero temperatures. According to analyses from AccuWeather and Fox Weather, the event will affect more than two dozen states and extend over more than 3,000 miles, impacting between 150 and 175 million people to varying degrees.

Geographic extent and duration of the winter system

The Arctic air mass will cause a systematic shift from the southwestern regions toward the Atlantic coast starting next Friday, remaining active throughout the weekend with effects lasting several additional days. The system will span from northeastern New Mexico and northwestern Texas, crossing Kansas and northern Oklahoma, to southeastern New York, New Jersey, and large parts of New England.

Major urban centers are directly in its path, including Dallas, Austin, Oklahoma City, Nashville, Atlanta, Charlotte, Washington D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, and Boston. In these cities, even moderate snow accumulations can cause significant impacts due to high population density and substantial vehicular traffic volume.

Heavy snowfall and the challenge of mountainous areas

A broad strip will experience snowfall requiring the use of specialized machinery and shovels in virtually all locations. Accumulations of 6 to 12 inches are expected in the most directly affected areas, although sleet or rain could alter these estimates.

Elevated regions of the Appalachians will see the most extreme accumulations, with the possibility of exceeding 2.4 feet of snow. This amount of solid precipitation significantly increases the risk of prolonged isolation in remote communities and complicates road clearing operations for several consecutive days.

Frozen rain: the most dangerous component of the storm

While snow presents a considerable logistical challenge, ice formation is the most critical risk of this cold storm in the United States. Over 15 states will experience episodes of freezing rain from Friday to Monday, especially along the corridor stretching from central Texas to Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

Regions most likely to see ice formation include parts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. In these areas, accumulations of up to 0.5 inches (1.3 centimeters) of ice are forecasted, a seemingly small thickness but potentially devastating. This amount is enough to topple large trees, severely damage power lines, and cause widespread outages that could affect hundreds of thousands of people simultaneously.

Persistent extreme cold after the winter storm

Following the passage of the precipitation system, the Arctic air mass will keep temperatures near or below freezing across much of the eastern part of the country. In cities like Dallas, temperatures are expected to remain below 0°C (32°F) for 48 to 60 consecutive hours, preventing the melting of accumulated snow and ice.

Although this episode may not reach the extreme duration of the February 2021 historic cold snap, its coincidence with a significant snow and ice storm will greatly amplify adverse effects. Large areas of the Midwest and Northeast will see maximum temperatures between -12°C and -9°C (10°F to 16°F), complicating snow removal efforts and significantly increasing the risk of hypothermia and frostbite for people outdoors for extended periods.

The combination of multiple simultaneous risks—heavy snow, severe ice, and extreme cold—positions this cold storm as one of the most challenging winter episodes in the United States, requiring thorough infrastructure preparations and safety measures across the affected region.