Winter storm alert: 7 things Americans need to know as the ‘extremely dangerous’ storm approaches

A sprawling winter storm is expected to sweep across the United States this weekend, placing more than 160 million people in the path of hazardous weather that could include snow, sleet, freezing rain, extreme cold, and widespread travel disruptions.The storm is expected to sweep through much of the United States, leaving “extremely dangerous” conditions in its wake as it tracks eastwards from the High Plains and Rockies, the National Weather Service(NWS) said.

The threat comes from a combination of heavy snow and potentially catastrophic ice accumulation, a pairing that can cripple infrastructure. Across large parts of the Southern Plains, Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast, snowfall totals could exceed 12 inches, disrupting public transportation and creating dangerous driving conditions. Just south of the snow band, freezing rain and sleet could coat trees and power lines with ice, increasing the risk of widespread power outages.“Freezing rain and ice make travel difficult, if not impossible,” said Mr Richard Bann, meteorologist at the prediction centre in College Park, Md.

When and where the storm will hit

Friday: The storm is expected to take shape by afternoon, emerging from the Southern Rockies. Scattered snow is forecast across Colorado and New Mexico before the system expands into the Southern Plains, including Kansas, Oklahoma, and the Texas Panhandle.Saturday: The system is forecast to spread deeper into Texas overnight, reach Arkansas and Tennessee by morning, and push into parts of the Midwest. By Saturday night, impacts could extend into northern Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas, with snow to the north and a mix of sleet and freezing rain farther south.Sunday: Wintry weather is expected to reach the Mid-Atlantic early in the day, then spread northward into New England as the storm continues east.Monday: Snowfall is expected to taper off across the Northeast, while a surge of bitter cold air settles in behind the storm, stretching from the Southern Plains through New England.

11 US states declare Emergency

At least 11 states including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia, have declared a state of emergency as the storm nears.“Travel is going to become more and more treacherous starting late Friday afternoon and lasting through the rest of the weekend,” the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma, posted online.

Flight, train and road disruptions

As per a New York Post report, about 1,300 flights have been cancelled across United States. There is an expectation that more flights will be cancelled as the storm intensifies. This comes day after major airlines had issued travel waivers for flights this weekend. In North Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee Delta has cancelled flights.Even road travel will be difficult, with periods of impossible driving situations expected. The Transportation departments at Dallas has already started salting roads ahead of freezing rain and snow expected by Friday afternoon. Similarly Louisiana department has asked its crew to prepare the roads for the drastic weather. Popular commuter rail systems in the Northeast, including New Jersey Transit, Metro-North Railroad, and the Long Island Rail Road, said they will provide riders with real-time updates on departures and any service delays.Meanwhile, Amtrak is rolling out service changes nationwide as the storm approaches. In a statement, Amtrak Northeast said it is closely tracking the winter system and warned that schedule adjustments could be required depending on the storm’s path.

Power outages could make conditions worse

Forecasters also warn that power outages caused by ice accumulation could leave some residents without heat as temperatures drop. Mr. Bann noted that snow could fall in areas lacking adequate snow-removal equipment, and that prolonged cold could prevent melting, leaving roads icy and dangerous for extended periods.Emergency officials are urging residents in affected areas to prepare for potential power outages, travel disruptions, and dangerous cold as the storm approaches.

Empty grocery stores, as citizens rush to stock up