A brutal winter storm continues to wreak havoc across the mid-Atlantic, with snow, ice, and freezing rain paralyzing travel and leaving thousands without power. Meanwhile, AccuWeather meteorologists warn that a second storm could deliver snow and ice to parts of Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas later this week, intensifying the impact of an already dangerous winter weather pattern.
The storm that battered the Midwest and Ozarks over the weekend, dumping over a foot of snow and half an inch of ice, is now hammering the mid-Atlantic. Heavy snow has created perilous driving conditions on major highways, including the I-95 corridor in northern Virginia and Maryland.
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“Snow falling at 1-2 inches per hour is very difficult for road crews and plow trucks to keep up with,” said AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter. “Persistent and heavy snow bands could lead to accumulations of nearly a foot or more in some areas.”
Icy streets, downed trees, and power lines have caused widespread outages that may last for days in some regions.
“A half inch of ice on power lines can add up to 500 pounds of additional weight,” said AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex DaSilva. “Strong winds are exacerbating these conditions, making it even harder to restore power.”
Residents in the storm’s path are urged to check on vulnerable neighbors and prepare for prolonged power outages as temperatures plunge into the single digits.
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The storm is ushering in Arctic air, with temperatures plunging 12-25 degrees Fahrenheit below seasonal averages across much of the Midwest and East Coast. Subfreezing conditions are expected to reach as far south as central Florida and parts of the Gulf Coast, raising concerns about potential damage to citrus crops.
“We’ll be monitoring Florida’s citrus-growing regions closely,” DaSilva said. “The threshold for damage is around 28 degrees, and growers may use water sprays to insulate crops from colder air.”
AccuWeather meteorologists are tracking a potential second winter storm that could spread snow and ice from Texas to the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic later this week. Cities such as Dallas may see their most significant snowfall in years, with several inches forecast along the I-20 corridor in northern Texas.
“This storm could essentially shut down travel across northern Texas by Thursday night into Friday,” said AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno.
Icy impacts are also expected in parts of Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas. As the storm moves eastward, it could bring significant snow and ice to the mid-Atlantic and possibly New England, depending on its path.
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The storms have already caused flight delays and cancellations at major airports, and the upcoming storm is expected to disrupt travel further. Snow and ice will increase the risk of frozen pipes in poorly insulated homes, and the staying power of cold temperatures will make recovery efforts even more challenging.
Meteorologists are closely monitoring the path of the late-week storm, which could either track southward with limited snow or strengthen along the East Coast, leading to a major snow event from the Carolinas to New England.
“This pattern of cold and stormy weather could persist through mid-January,” DaSilva said.
For now, residents in affected areas are urged to stay off the roads, stock up on emergency supplies, and prepare for potentially life-threatening conditions as the nation grapples with one of its most severe winter weather patterns in recent years.
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