A major winter storm is forecast to bring heavy snow, sleet, freezing rain and frigid temperatures to a massive swath of the United States stretching all the way from New Mexico and Texas to parts of New England and the South starting on Friday and continuing through the weekend, according to meteorologists. More than 230 million Americans are expected to be impacted by what is likely to be one of the most significant storms of this winter season.
Major metro areas in the storm’s path include Dallas and Austin in Texas, Oklahoma City, Nashville, Atlanta, Charlotte, N.C., Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City and Boston, forecasters say.
Impacts from the snow and ice could cause power outages, widespread travel shutdowns and school closures. On Friday, over 400 flights across the country were canceled, with over 900 delayed. Ahead of the storm, over 1,470 flights have already been canceled within, into, or out of the U.S., with over 560 delayed on Saturday.
Following the storm, frigid temperatures will prolong the impacts of the snow and ice. “Potentially hundreds of thousands of people may go without electricity and heat for days,” AccuWeather chief meteorologist Jonathan Porter said.
Various forms of winter storm advisories and warnings have been issued for more than 168 million people, from Arizona to New York and as far south as Texas, according to the National Weather Service. The agency advises “preparations should be completed as soon as possible, and forecasts closely monitored for updates.”
Live28 updates