(NEXSTAR) – With nearly 140 million Americans under alerts for snow, sleet and freezing rain Thursday, people from Texas to Boston are bracing for the worst of a potentially catastrophic winter storm.
While Wisconsin isn’t expected to see feet of snow, extremely cold temperatures are forecasted for most of the state.
The storm, which is set to affect the eastern two-thirds of the country, is forecast to bring life-threatening cold, heavy snow accumulation and a potential layer of ice that could knock out power and create chaos on roadways.
When to expect the worst
The storm was expected to begin Friday in New Mexico and Texas. From there, the worst of the weather will move east into the Deep South before heading up the coast and thumping New England with snow.
The storm is expected to hit the Southern High Plains and Rockies Friday before reaching the Mid-South and Ohio Valley on Saturday, followed by the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast Sunday, according to the NWS.
Texas will see an initial wave Friday into Saturday, followed by two additional systems that will move west to east over the weekend, according to the Nexstar Weather Center. Snow accumulation by Sunday evening is expected to be roughly 12 inches in Amarillo, Texas, and Oklahoma City.
Models show a band of freezing rain early Saturday spanning Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee, with projected accumulations reaching a quarter-inch in Dallas; just over half-an-inch in Shreveport, Louisiana; and two-thirds of an inch in Pine Bluff, Arkansas; by Sunday evening.
Freezing rain encases what it lands on in heavy ice and is notorious for taking down electrical lines.
“That would be devastating,” said Nexstar Chief Meteorologist Brian James. “They would be without power for days.”
‘Life-threatening cold’: Where will temperatures fall the most during the winter storm?
You can check detailed ice and snow projections for your city or ZIP code using the National Weather Service website.
Arctic blast to bring sub-freezing temperatures
Cold air streaming down from Canada caused Chicago Public Schools to cancel classes Friday. Wind chills predicted to be as low as minus-35 degrees Fahrenheit could cause frostbite within 10 minutes making it too dangerous to walk to school or wait for the bus.
Snow squalls, which can create dangerous, near-zero visibility conditions on roadways in just minutes, could develop in parts of the Northeast Thursday into Friday, according to the NWS.
“If you encounter a snow squall while driving and cannot safely exit the roadway, reduce speed, turn on your lights and hazards and avoid slamming on the brakes,” the NWS advises.
(Credit: NWS)
Freezing temperatures are expected all the way to Florida and lows in the North and Midwest will get about as cold as possible, even down to minus 25 or 30 degrees Fahrenheit, forecasters said.
On Friday, dangerously cold air is forecast to descend on the Northern and Central Plains, along with the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes regions Thursday, before creeping into the Southern Plains, Mississippi Valley and Midwest Thursday night. Sub-zero wind chill temperatures, which may reach -50 F in the Northern Plains, will be felt as far southeast as the Mid-Atlantic, Mid-Mississippi Valley and Southern Plains regions, the NWS forecasts.
‘Life-threatening cold’: Where will temperatures fall the most during the winter storm?
Experts recommend checking local forecasts regularly, as winter storms are notoriously tricky to forecast, and just a one-degree drop in temperature can mean the difference between a catastrophe or a cold rain.
James reminded residents in the storm’s path that “the models don’t always get it right … make sure you’re checking in with your local meteorologist and your local National Weather Service office to make sure you’re getting the very latest on what’s going on in your area.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
