Millions of Americans face life-threatening conditions when a massive winter storm strikes over the weekend, bringing more than a foot of snow to some parts of the country and dangerous icy conditions to others.
Roughly 160 million people – nearly half the population of the United States – were under a variety of watches, warnings and other alerts associated with the winter storm, stretching from Arizona and Montana in the West to the Carolinas and Maine in the East, the National Weather Service announced Thursday.
Forecasters now warn that the deluge could crush trees and power lines and knock out power for days, as major cities including Washington DC, Philadelphia, New York and Boston get enough snow to make travel very difficult or nearly impossible.
‘The next 10 days of winter will be the worst in 40 years across the United States,’ meteorologist Ryan Maue posted on X.
He then urged Americans to ‘think about where you go, what you can do and who needs even more help to survive this week ahead.
‘This is not hype or a joke,’ Maue insisted, as he warned that meteorologists’ estimates for snowfall amounts across the country may be underestimated.
It came as New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani warned that the Big Apple may see up to 16 inches of slush.
The mayor insisted that the city is ‘ready’ for the storm, as outreach workers ‘ramp up efforts to connect unhoused New Yorkers to safe shelter.
‘Tomorrow, we’ll begin pre-snow treatment, brining highways and major streets,’ Mamdani continued. ‘Once the storm hits, [New York City Sanitation] and city workers will be out around the clock, keeping our city moving.’
Millions of Americans face life-threatening conditions when a massive winter storm makes its way across the country over the weekend
He went on to say that alerts about potential school closures may be forthcoming as he urged New York City residents to sign up for emergency notifications.
‘Stay warm. Stay prepared. Take care of one another,’ the mayor urged, as governors in several states declared states of emergency to deploy resources – including the National Guard.
In the meantime, experts have advised preparing for the worst by stocking up on ice, heat sources, blankets and warm clothing in case power outages persist.
The Red Cross also recommends buying cheap Styrofoam coolers and ice to keep food fresh in the event of refrigerators being out of action.
The US-based charity also advises putting an emergency preparedness kit together to make sure you have everything you need to survive several days without power.
It includes one gallon of water per person, tinned food, a flashlight, a battery-powered radio, first aid kit, a seven-day supply of medications, portable phone chargers, and making a note of emergency contact information.
Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp has also told residents to make sure they have electric space heaters to hand in case their central heating cuts out.
His office also published a list of winter survival tools needed in case of a getaway, including an ice scraper, extra blanket, and jumper cables for their cars.
Roughly 160 million people – nearly half the population of the United States – were under a variety of watches, warnings and other alerts associated with the winter storm as of Thursday
Some parts of the country could see more than a foot of snow once the storm passes
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani warned on Thursday that the Big Apple could see up to 16 inches of snow
‘As forecasts continue to evolve, Georgians should be prepared for freezing precipitation that causes dangerous conditions and the potential for damage and power loss beginning Saturday,’ Kemp said in a statement.
‘I have been working closely with state and local officials to ensure we are prepared for all scenarios,’ he added.
‘I’m urging all Georgians to take necessary precautions now to ensure their families and pets can stay safe, warm, and fed over the coming days.’
The Peach State is among the states expected to be hit the worst by the storm on Sunday, with the Atlanta Police Department now warning that officers will only be responding to life-and-death emergencies when the storm comes.
Arkansas and Tennessee are also expected to see up to 24 inches of snow, whileWeather Channel forecasters issued the most severe type of ice warning – ‘crippling’ – for parts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee.
People living in affected areas can expect to see one tenth of an inch of ice.
Those in southern states are accustomed to mild winters free of extreme winter weather, with even a small amount of snow or ice likely to cause widespread chaos and dangerous road conditions.
‘Even for those that are experienced with winter weather, there’s only so much you can do with freezing rain,’ Matt Reagan, a lead forecaster with the National Weather Service in Nashville told NPR.
‘You can’t drive in it, even if you have four-wheel drive.’
Wind chill will make it feel as cold as -3 degrees Fahrenheit in Dallas, Texas and Arkansas. Pedestrians are pictured bundled up in Chicago, Illinois on Thursday
Along with the snow and ice, the US will face brutal, cold temperatures
By Friday night, meteorologists warn that a ‘wintry mess’ of ‘snow, sleet and ice’ will spread through the Central Plains, lower Mississippi Valley and parts of Tennessee before making its way up to the northeast
Stormy weather expected to begin by Friday afternoon, dumping snow, sleet and freezing rain on areas of Kansas, Oklahoma and western Texas before quickly moving through the south.
Some areas could even see up to two feet of snow, with wind chill making it feel as cold as -3 degrees Fahrenheit in Dallas, Texas and Arkansas.
By Friday night, meteorologists with Weather.com warn that a ‘wintry mess’ of ‘snow, sleet and ice’ will spread through the Central Plains, lower Mississippi Valley and parts of Tennessee.
The worst of the storm is expected to hit on Saturday and Sunday, covering the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, parts of the Carolinas and northern Georgia.
On Saturday night, major cities will be blanketed in heavy snow of up to two feet.
Affected cities are forecast to include Charlotte, Greenville-Spartanburg, Richmond, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, New York City, Kansas City, St. Louis, Chicago, Indianapolis, Louisville, Cleveland, and Cincinnati.
By Sunday, the storm is expected to end in the southern states of Texas, Oklahoma and the Mississippi Valley.
But areas of the Ohio Valley, Virginia and the Carolinas will continue to see bad weather, and much of the storm will stretch northeast to New York.
‘Snow amounts could reach a foot or more in the I-95 major cities from D.C. to Boston,’ said weather service forecasters on the East Coast, who are increasingly confident the storm will strike the big cities.
In Washington DC ‘the combination of heavy snow and ice alongside prolonged very cold temperatures presents a unique and significant risk to life and property across virtually the entire region,’ forecasters at the National Weather Service’s Washington/Baltimore office warned.
Governors in several states have declared a state of emergency to deploy resources ahead of the storm. Snow plows are pictured driving through a street in Northbrook, Illinois on Thursday
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Wednesday that federal emergency management resources are available.
‘We are anticipating a major winter weather event expected to impact much of the US population this weekend, especially the Midwest and East Coast,’ she said.
‘DHS is working with state and local authorities, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to monitor and prepare for this likely adverse weather.
‘Please prepare and take precautions in the event of power outages, pipe-bursts, road closures, airport delays, flight cancellations, and freezing temperatures.
‘Federal emergency management is positioning to effectively respond to these conditions, and is prepared to provide aid across the affected areas.’
